Business paralysed as police, army fire teargas to disperse FDC supporters in Buikwe
Former presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye talks to one of the soldiers he found at Paradise Pub in Lugazi town in Buikwe District where FDC party leaders had planned to hold a meeting on April 7, 2019. COURTESY PHOTO
A combined force of police and the army have fired teargas to disperse Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) supporters in Lugazi town in Buikwe District in attempt to block former presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye from attending a planned party leaders’ meeting at Paradise Pub.
At about 11am on Tuesday, Dr Besigye, flanked by the party president Patrick Amuriat arrived at the meeting venue only to find it cordoned off by security personnel.
“We have arrived in Buikwe to meet our leaders only to find the army had surrounded our leaders at their meeting venue,” Dr Besigye posted on his social media platforms.
Security has been deployed on Lugazi-Jinja-Kampala highway and traffic diverted to other alternative routes ahead of President Museveni’s visit.
President Museveni is expected in Jinja and Buikwe districts today to commission at least 10 factories as part of his wealth and job creation gospel.
Police fired teargas after FDC members vowed not to leave the venue and accused security officers of unlawful interference.
Amidst the standoff, business people closed their shops in fear of losing their merchandise.
Mr Fred Enanga, the apolice spokesperson failed to respond to our repeated calls while the army spokesperson, Brigadier Richard Karemire’s phone was off.
However, by the time of filing this story, Dr Besigye’s car was being escorted out of Lugazi, back to Kampala by police.
