Police ban FDC rallies in Ankole

Intervention. FDC chairperson for Mbarara District Stanley Katembeya (2nd right) engages police officers after the party rally was blocked in Mbarara Town on November 27, 2018. PHOTO BY FELIX AINEBYOONA

What you need to know:

  • On Tuesday, police deployed in Mbarara Town to stop FDC leaders from holding a rally there.

Mbarara. Police have stopped the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party from holding rallies in Rwizi region that comprises Mbarara, Kiruhura, Ibanda, Isingiro and Ntungamo districts.
Rwizi Region Police spokesperson Samson Kasasira on Tuesday said Inspector General of Police Martins Okoth-Ochola ordered the Force not to allow the party to hold rallies in the area until further notice.

“FDC will not have any more rallies here within Rwizi region and other surrounding areas, according to the guidelines from police headquarters until further guidance from the office of the IGP,” Mr Kasasira said.
He said the police action has been prompted by the persistent violence at FDC rallies.
“An example is of what happened in Rukungiri in Kigezi sub-region yesterday [Monday]; there was a lot of teargas and chaos in the town,” Mr Kasasira said.

On Tuesday, police deployed in Mbarara Town to stop FDC leaders from holding a rally there. The party had planned to hold a rally at Boma grounds to welcome party president Patrick Amuriat following his election to the office last year.
“The deployment is a preventive measure because we saw what happened in Rukungiri. But because they are being defiant, we had to make sure that nothing happens and we have deployed to foil their defiance,” Mr Kasasira said.

However, the FDC chairperson in Mbarara District, Mr Stanley Katembeya, said the NRM government is using police to block their activities because it is scared of losing support. “The government is the one that allowed multiparty system; our party is registered. How do they want us to meet our supporters? Museveni is an NRM member and he goes wherever he wants, no one disturbs him, so let them leave the multiparty system to work,” Mr Katembeya said.