Police in Rukungiri on Monday fired tear gas to block the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate, Patrick Oboi Amuriat and former presidential candidate Colonel Dr Kiiza Besigye from holding a procession in Rukungiri Municipality. 

Amuriat who is currently on his campaign trail in Kigezi addressed supporters in Kanungu district as well as Bikurungu town council in Rujumbura county, Rukungiri district. 

However, when he entered Rukungiri town, Amuriat who was accompanied by Besigye, Rukungiri Municipality Member of Parliament Roland Mugume Kaginda, Rujumbura County MP, Fred Turyamuhweza, District woman MP, Betty Bamukwasa Muzanira and former Rukiga county MP, Jack Sabitti among others found heavily armed anti-riot police had blocked all  the roads except Rubabo road that connects Rukungiri Municipal stadium where the public rally was slated to be held. 

Amuriat who had attracted hundreds of supporters defied the orders and proceeded to Rukungiri-Ntugamo road roundabout. Police under the command of Kintu Henry, Rukungiri District Police Commander, and Dan Byaruhanga, Kigezi region police commander attempted to block him in vain. 

As he proceeded to the FDC party offices located along Rubabo road police started firing tear gas to disperse the supporters. 

Amuriat declined to proceed to the stadium accusing police of chasing away his supporters.  He, forcefully made a short address as police fired tear gas.

Elly Maate, the police spokesperson for Kigezi region says that police could not allow Amuriat to make a procession in town to disrupt peoples’ businesses. He says that police had not agreed with Amuriat to hold processions. 

Earlier, Amuriat promised to increase the salaries of police officers, once elected President. 

On Tuesday, Amuriat will hold rallies in Rukiga, Ntungamo and Rwampara districts.

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By: URN

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Elly MatteKizza Besigye

Independent Presidential Candidate Joseph Kabuleta has told voters not to sell their vote but to choose a President who will represent their ideas for development.

Kabuleeta was addressing voters on his campaign trail in Tororo, Eastern Uganda. He proceeded to to address more of his supporters in Busia before attending a radio show on East FM in Tororo where he promised to focus on agriculture which he said is dead in the current regime.

Still on his campaign trail in the East, yesterday Kabuleta went for his church service  at Walukuba Miracle Center and later The Good Samaritan, and was visiting preacher in both.

While teaching about the sons of Isaac, he told congregants not to be like Esau and sell their birthrights by neglecting causes while voting.

He encouraged believers to get more involved in leadership so that they can have a platform on which to advance their issues.

“Evil prevails because the righteous keep quiet and watch,” he said.

Speaking at a Press Conference in Lubaga zone, the Presidential hopeful explained his message for Busoga and answered questions about police brutality.

He blasted the role of systemic middle men who he said is killing the sugarcane business promising to improve prices of cane and guaranteed market for farmers.

Commenting about police brutality, the former journalist revealed that there is an idly parket police truck that had been trailing him since morning.

“The police have orders to shoot civilians at the slightest provocation on flimsy excuses not even related to breaking laws,” he said.

Kabuleta added that whereas it is unlikely that police would shoot a presidential candidate; “they will easily shoot civilians showing support and face no consequences whatsover.”

“My aim is to speak to people and not to get them killed.”

On the recent incident where he was blocked in Masindi, Kabuleta said that he cancelled his rally when police started teargasing random villagers.

“I would not let innocent Ugandans die on my watch.”

Kabuleta is still in Busoga region where he is preaching his message of financial liberation.

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Kabuleta for President