Police deploy at FDC offices ahead of Amuriat nomination
Police officers camp at the FDC party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala, on November 3, 2020. PHOTO/ALEX ESAGALA
What you need to know:
Reaction.
“FDC is ready to move and I call upon police and other security officers to cooperate with us [today]. During the NRM nomination yesterday, they were in big numbers doing whatever they wanted and they were being guarded by security but when we try to do the same, they treat us as if we are not children of this country. We are going to do the same,” Roland Mugume, Amuriat’s field coordinator
Police have since yesterday deployed heavily at the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala, following remarks by the Opposition party’s flag bearer, Mr Patrick Amuriat, that he would move with a procession to the nomination venue today contrary to the police orders.
Last week, Mr Amuriat, who will be nominated alongside other aspirants today, said he would move to the nomination venue at Kyambogo University with all his supporters contrary to the 10 people each aspirant is allowed to take to the venue as directed by Electoral Commission (EC).
Surrounded
By 8am yesterday, police and other security forces had surrounded the FDC headquarters and closed the party’s both entrances.
They were still at the place by this morning.
Addressing journalists yesterday amid deployment, Mr Roland Kaginda Mugume, Mr Amuriat’s national field coordinator, said FDC will proceed with their plan to move in a procession to the nomination despite the police deployment.
“It looks like there are some other people outside our offices who want to give us the programme to follow but they will not change our programme. We shall head to the nomination venue with our procession to Kyambogo and we are ready for them,” Mr Mugume said.
He said they will start at the party headquarters at 8am today and proceed to Kyambogo in a procession.
Mr Mugume also said if security officers cooperate, the party supporters will also reciprocate but if they do not, the party will also do the same.
He said the party founder, Dr Kizza Besigye, will also be present at the party headquarters to address the nation after the nomination.
Meanwhile, police vowed to handle any presidential aspirant who will move in a procession to the venue.
Mr Patrick Onyango, the Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, said they deployed at all roads leading to Kyambogo and on all highways to handle the situation.
