The protests started at 3 p.m. in Ndikuttamada in Masajjja division and ended past 7:30 pm after police officers, military police officers and plain-clothed security personnel dispersed the crowds with tear gas and live bullets. Five protestors were arrested.
The Alliance for National Transformation- ANT presidential candidate Gen. Mugisha Muntu has suspended his campaign tour until the matter of his counterpart Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu is resolved.
They used teargas, live bullets and water cannons to disperse the rowdy crowds that were led by Patrick Oboi Amuriat the FDC Presidential Candidate and Betty Aol Ocan the Leader of Opposition in Parliament.
Some of the residents were seen picking the teargas canisters and throwing them back at the police while others used stones to attack the heavily armed police officers.
Kiwanuka Kizito a NUP Supporter said that the arrest of Kyagulanyi was an act of provocation towards his supporters and they decided to come out on streets to demand his release
According to Paul Bukenya, the EC Manager Media and Public Relations, as of Tuesday 17, 2020 when the 14 days elapsed after presidential candidates were nominated and campaigns started, the commission did not receive a record from any of the presidential candidates.
Amuriat of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party was arrested from Awere Open Grounds in Layibi-Bardege division in Gulu City where he was scheduled to address voters.
Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) presidential candidate, Gen. Mugisha Muntu says that they condemn the act and that his party joins NUP and all fair-minded Ugandans in calling upon the immediate release of Kyagulanyi.
“The impunity with which security operatives are operating in the continued harassment and now arrest of Hon. Kyagulanyi is leading this country closer towards a breaking point. If a presidential candidate can be arrested in that manner, the population should ask themselves…what happens to people that are not at that elevation,” says Muntu.
The development comes after some protests started earlier in the City Centre following the arrest of NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine in Eastern region of Uganda earlier today.
Amuriat was scheduled to hold a rally at Awere Playgrounds in Gulu City West Division this afternoon. However, his entourage from Kitgum was intercepted in Paicho Trading Centre by Field Force Unit - FFU police personnel.
According to Dr. Muhumuza The NRM has failed to take into account poor purchasing power at home and heavily protected export markets, he also points to a number of inefficiencies that make local products uncompetitive.
According to a press statement issued by the EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the Abu Dhabi-based United Printing and Publishing firm will be responsible for the printing of ballot papers for the Presidential and Directly-elected Member of Parliament.
Alex Luganda, a representative of independent candidate Henry Tumukunde says that the roads are pathetic citing experiences in Kanungu and Rukungiri where it rained the entire day, during their visit affecting their meetings in Kisoro.
Wilson Oyat Chagga, the FDC Parliamentary contestant for Gulu City West Division seat says their preparation to host Amuriat is within the laws of the country and any intimidations by the police won't stand on their way.
The Director of Operations in the Uganda Police AIGP Edward Ochom said that before they use the teargas which he said is the most effective nonlethal method of crowd control, they first inspect it
The camps contesting for 2021 presidential elections say they face a challenge when mobilizing the 200 people that the Electoral Commission and Ministry of Health allow because most of them have never had a face mask, sanitized or known about guidelines to prevent COVID-19
While addressing a rally at Busimbi division playground in Mityana municipality on Tuesday, Mao noted that many people pretend to be DP party supporters when in reality they are affiliated to other political parties.
The region was a no-go zone a few years ago when insecurity took a toll with several ambushes waged by the warriors reported each day. Lives were lost, among them Missionaries, civilians and security personnel.
Orikiriza, standing on Democratic Party- DP ticket, says voters are capitalizing on the door to door campaigns to get money dubbed as "sanitisers" and other items such as soap, soda and sugar.
