LIRA – Pandemonium broke out in Lira Town on Saturday afternoon as police battled supporters of the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in a bid to block their rally that was to be addressed by Dr Kizza Besigye and party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat.
The rally was to be held at Mayor’s Gardens following a meeting at Angwet-Angwet. When the meeting ended, Mr Amuriat, Ingrid Turinawe, Dr Besigye and their supporters then headed to the rally venue but were intercepted shortly after.
Police headed by North Kyoga regional police commander Peter Nkulega intercepted Dr Besigye and his team just after they left White House Hotel as they head to Lira mayors garden to address a public rally.
All started when Ms Turinawe snatched off rope police was using to tow Dr Besigye’s car. She engaged police in a run before being joined by their supporters.
Police fired live bullets and teargas as she tried to lead the crowd to the mayor’s garden where they were set to hold a public rally.
Dr Besigye was escorted outside of Lira town by two police patrol cars.
North Kyoga regional police spokesperson said police was not informed about the rally.
“We are not aware of his planned rallies but we aware of their (Besigye and FDC leaders) presence in Lira town,” he said.
However, Mr Bonny Gongson Otyama, the FDC’s People’s government commissioner for Lango, said they had notified police of their planned rally.
“We gave a copy of a letter signed by the Inspector General of Police to the DPC but we do not know why police continued to make unnecessary deployment at the venue,” he said.
This is the upteenth time police are blocking Dr Besigye’s rallies.