Police deployed ahead of DP-UYD reunion in Jinja

What you need to know:

On January 31, DP President General, Mr Nobert Mao said they were working on the reunion drive between the party’s main structure and the UYD.

JINJA- Police has deployed heavily on the streets of Jinja town in eastern Uganda and diverted traffic ahead of the highly anticipated Democratic Party (DP)-Uganda Young Democrats (UYD) reunion at Jinja Rugby Grounds.

By 7am, about six police teargas trucks, each manned by at least three officers, were seen patrolling Gabula Road and Main Street.
Justifying the deployment, the Kiira region Police Spokesperson, Ms Dianah Nandaula, said the Opposition did not follow the right guidelines and the reunion will not take place.

Meanwhile, DP President General, Mr Nobert Mao, is reportedly in a meeting with security officers at Jinja Central Police Station where he is being asked by police to abandon the reunion, inform his supporters and return to Kampala.

“I am here (at the Police Station) with Nobert Mao trying to convince him to inform the public that the reunion is not going to take place,’’ Ms Nandaula said.

At a press conference in Jinja on Tuesday, Mr Sam Walter Lubega, a former presidential candidate and DP stalwart, vowed to proceed with the reunion regardless of police deployment.

The reunion, previously held at Makerere University, Mukono, Gulu and Masaka, is expected to head to Mbarara, Arua, Lira and Kasese.

On January 31, Mr Mao said they were working on the reunion drive between the party’s main structure and the UYD.
The reunion is expected to draw figures from across the political divide including Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), JEEMA, Conservative Party, Social Democratic Party (SDP), Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and People Power.