By Benson Tumusiime
Police in Kasangati on Monday got involved in scuffles with Kyadondo East legislator Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s supporters, who assaulted the Officer in Charge of Kasangati police station.
The scuffle erupted after police blocked Bobi Wine from addressing his supporters who were gathered at Our Lady of Good Counsel Secondary School Gayaza, for his presidential consultations ahead of the 2021 election.
Bobi Wine had been accompanied by People Power Movement members among them Hon. Latif Ssebagala, Hon. Basalirwa Asuman, Joel Senyonyi and others.
However, they were all arrested and detained at Kasangati police station then later were transferred to Nagalama police station.
Shortly after their arrest, protests broke out between between the police and People Power supporters in areas of Kasangati and Kitetika stage commonly referred to as ‘Ku Mbuzi’.
The protesters demanded to know why Bobi Wine and other People Power leaders had been arrested. During the scuffle the police fired teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd and in the process the Officer in Charge Kasangati Police Station Abel Muwonge was shot in the thigh with a rubber bullet by one of his men. He was later rushed to a nearby health facility for first aid.
People Power spokesperson Joel Senyonyi confirmed that they had observed the law and followed everything the authorities asked them to fulfill for the consultations to happen.
They were required to follow the consultations in line with Section 3 of the Presidential Elections Act, 2005 as amended, wholly in conformity with the public Order Management Act, 2013 and other laws/ regulations governing public meetings.
This includes ensuring there is adequate provision of emergency response capabilities like Ambulances for evacuation, fire and rescue services and on spot first aid service.
All the consultation meetings must be held in a fully closed venue(s) in accordance with the notice given among others.
However, while addressing the media on Monday morning at police headquarters Naguru, Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said that Hon Kyagulangi and the officials of People Power did not fulfill all the obligations of the Public Order Management Act,2013 reason why they were denied chance to go ahead with the consultation meeting.
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