Ugandan police blocks opposition from holding independence rallies

Ugandan police has denied the request of opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to hold rallies in the week of the country’s independence day on October 9.

Uganda police statement 'advising' (warning?) opposition party FDCOfficial1 against holding their planned Independence Day celebrations pic.twitter.com/Ffd3Th6PMn

— Samira Sawlani (samirasawlani) October 7, 2016

A statement signed by police spokesperson, Andrew Felix Kaweesi on Thursday acknowledged receipt of the FDC’s request to hold processions starting Friday but stated that it will undermine the security and success of the independence celebrations.

“The FDC party has been advised therefore to attend the national celebrations and desist from conducting parallel ceremonies,” it added.

This statement was followed by the deployment of police officers on Friday morning to the houses of FDC leaders and barricading their premises to prevent them from holding their first planned independence rally.

The home of Dr Kizza Besigye, the former presidential candidate of the FDC has been blocked by the police, local media portal Daily Monitor reported.

“The Bweyogerere-Kirinya home of Kira Municipality MP, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the convener of today’s rally is surrounded by police. However, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been allowed to leave his Lubaga-Wakaliga home but with police trailing him,” they added.

According to local reports, the opposition is keen on holding its rallies as scheduled.