People Power tasks police to explain death of their members

KAMPALA. People Power activists have tasked government authorities to publicly explain the death of their members and the police brutality.
Addressing journalists in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb on Tuesday, People Power spokesperson, Mr Joel Ssenyonyi said, some of their supporters have been killed by security agents and others are suffering because of their activities and attachment to the political movement led by Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.

“Is being a supporter of an opposition group a crime that leads to death? We are asking police to come out on this and explain. The fact that people power does not have a police of its own, we are not responsible for the protection of people. The police should therefore carry out its role of protecting the people,” Mr Ssenyonyi said.
In a press statement handed to journalists indicates that,“ Mr Stephen Ssalongo Lukoma in Buvuma District, Moses Okot Bitek in Amolatar were gunned down by security agents while Bosmic Otim is nursing serious injuries in Gulu hospital after he was brutally arrested and beaten by security agencies. There crime is being ardent supporters of People Power.”

When contacted on Tuesday, Police deputy spokesperson, Ms Polly Namaye said, they are investigating the cases before she referred us to the regional police commanders. “We are investigating these matters but get in touch with our police commanders in those regions,” she said.
During the same press conference the pressure group also cautioned government against plan to construct a power plant near Murchison Falls Park saying it would negatively impact on the growth of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Tourism is the largest contributor to the National GDP, if the park is destroyed tourists will reduce. It is advisable that the government capitalises on those sectors that are doing well so that they can develop them,” he said.

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