Yesterday marked the last day of 2021 presidential nomination exercise but the day was highlighted by joint security teams running battles with supporters of various candidates.
Seven presidential candidates were duly nominated to run for presidency come 2021. These include; Kyagulanyi Robert Sentamu, Norbert Mao, John Katumba, Nancy Linda Kalembe, Willy Mayambala, Fred Mwesigye and Joseph Kabuleta.
During a joint task force presser, the security teams said the second day of the nomination exercise was characterized by several acts of violence.
Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson said in defiance of the Electoral Commission guidelines on processions and rallies, presidential candidates Bobi Wine and Patrick Oboi Amuriat were resultantly involved in violent running battles with the Joint Security Teams, following disagreements on their movement plans.
Enanga said Amuriat blatantly defied the traffic flow plan agreed upon from his home in Najjera to Kyambogo. He instead opted to proceed to Najjanankumbi to lead a delegation of over 2000 supporters in total disregard of the Electoral and Health SOPs.
For Bobi Wine, he said that the NUP leader initially cooperated with the escorting team from Magere but was delayed by several hold-ups along the way, due to the many mobilized supporters along his prescribed route.
After his successful nomination, he had similar plans of holding illegal processions from Kyambogo to Kamwokya NUP Headquarters, which the forces decided to countere due to its negative impact on the flow of Traffic, Public Safety and Public order.
“He was forcefully removed from his vehicle, and a fracas ensued in the process of transferring him to the Police Vehicle. He was eventually safely delivered to his home in Magere.
We strongly condemn the tactics used by the two opposition figures, since such acts of defiance only bring greater violence such as lawlessness and violence against Law Enforcement Personnel and other Ugandans. It also encourages the spread of the coronavirus,” Enanga said.
During the running battles, security teams arrested 49 suspects actively involved in demonstrations around Kiseka Market, Mini Price, Kisasi, Ntinda, Najjanankumbi and Nakasozi Buddo and are in Custody. An unidentified male who attempted to return an exploded teargas canister seriously injured his fingers after it exploded in his hands. In addition 3 security personnel and 4 civilians were injured in the fracas. Two police vehicles were damaged in the process.