The act by the police in Jinja to block Democratic Party (DP) reunion at Jinja Rugby Grounds and arrest of top organisers including party party president, Norbert Mao has been described by the party as an action of unprofessional but rather a partisan police.
This afternoon the police unconditionally and without charge released Mao, Fred Mwesigwa (the DP presidential spokesman), former presidential candidate, Samuel Lubega and the Reunion Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Kidandala. The officials were arrested as early as 8:00am as they stepped at Jinja Rugby Grounds where the reunion was supposed to take place.
After their release, Mwesigwa – the DP presidential spokesman told Radio Simba that the police was acting on the orders of NRM who are scared of any challengers.
“They are scared of our reunion because DP is determined this time. We are taking over power from their (police) master, President Yoweri Museveni,” said Mwesigwa to this website.
Contacted for a comment, Kiira Regional Police Spokeswoman, SP Diana Nandawula rubbished Mwesigwa’s assertions.
Nandawula said the police would have not blocked the reunion had the organisers followed the Public Order Management Act which requires them to inform the police in term.
“As police, our duty is to serve everyone equally. And for that matter, they (DP) were supposed to follow the law. For example, they have previously had reunions in other regions and we have not been blocking them because they have always followed the law,” she said.
Mao arrived in Jinja town at 8 am, he found a heavy police deployment at the venue.
He was grabbed and rushed to Jinja Central Police Station.
Before his arrest, Mao predicted in a tweet that the day would be bad for DP.
“The police has blocked the #DPREUNION in Jinja today. Heavy deployment awaited at 8am at the Jinja Rugby Grounds,” he posted on his handler.
Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was among opposition figures who were expected to grace the function but had not showed up by the time of arrest.