FDC Rally Blocked in Lira Town

The police on Saturday blocked the Forum for Democratic Change-FDC party rally in Lira town.

The rally was planned to take place at the Mayors Garden. Several heavily armed security personnel who included the police and army were deployed at the venue as early as 6 am.

Anti-riot police personnel armed with teargas canisters, AK 47 and UPDF soldiers intercepted FDC team led by the former presidential candidate Rtd Col Kizza Besigye from Obote Avenue as he attempted to access the venue.

Before they were intercepted, police fired both teargas and live bullets along Produce line in Lira town to disperse a rowdy group of youth who wanted to demonstrate against the actions of the police.

Soon after they were intercepted, Col Besigye and his team were escorted out of Lira town with two police patrol pick- up trucks carrying anti-riot personnel and the army.

Their convoy was escorted up to the border of Lira and Kole districts.

Besigye who earlier held a closed-door meeting in Dokolo and in Lira town before he was blocked by the security, was meant of address a public rally at the Mayor’s Garden and also preside over the swearing in of the people’s government.

Lira District Police Commander, George Obia said the rally was not sanctioned by the Inspector General of Police.

Early in the day, Ogongson Otyama Ogong, the Lira District FDC Party Chairperson told URN they had written to IGP Martin Okoth Ochola about their planned rally in Lira town.