Three killed, 34 injured during Wednesday violent protests in Kampala

Uganda Police Force has identified three men who were killed during violent protests that hit Kampala and other parts of the country, following the arrests of NUP and FDC presidential candidates.

Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu the NUP candidate was arrested in Luuka, while his FDC counterpart Amuriat Oboi Patrick was arrested in Guluon Wednesday.

Fred Enanga the police spokesperson says that their arrests as anticipated by the Joint Intelligence components, sparked off incidents of violent demonstrations especially in the areas of Masaka, Jinja, Mbale, Kampala city and its suburbs of Bwaise, Kyaliwajjala , Nabweru, Kalerwe, Nansana and Mukono.

In Mityana, the police spokesperson says they blocked a group of youth who were being transported to reinforce colleagues in Kampala. The violent demonstrators set up illegal roadblocks and burnt tyres, violently attacked law enforcement personnel in the city Centre. Enanga says they also registered other crimes of looting, vandalism and robbery by hooligans who take advantage of these violent demonstrations.

“We do strongly condemn the tactics used by NUP and those groups that continue to breach the Electoral Commission guidelines during the campaigns. Such acts only promote further violence and lawlessness amidst the threats of Covid-19. We believe it is one of the steps to prepare their adherents into inciting violence and further accelerate their goal of a civil uprising like they have always threatened” he said.

Three innocent lives were also lost as a result of the violent fracas in the city and these include; Mwanje Sandi, a 35 year old male adult of Katwe, Juma Sendagire, a 27 year old male adult of Lusanja Kitezi and Amasi from Kubbiri. “We do extend our sympathies to their families. The cause of death will be revealed after conducting post mortem examination” he said.

He added that a total of 34 people sustained injuries during the violent confrontations and were rushed to Mulago National Referral hospital for further medical attention.

Enanga noted that the Joint Security Task Force shall not allow for such acts of violence to escalate into a civil crisis and that the police quick reaction, CCTV monitoring and crowd control dispersal teams managed to suppress the violent groups with teargas and other non-lethal weapons. Several suspects have also been arrested and will be screened once the operations have normalized.

“We are therefore, requesting members of the public to stay calm, as we counter the violent demonstrators. We urge all voters to know that it is their democratic right to support candidates of their choice. They should therefore, avoid such violent confrontations to achieve that goal” Enanga said.

He reminded all candidates to ensure they observe the guidelines that were issued by the Electoral Commission. They were meant to help candidates campaign safely and reduce the risks of covid-19 transmission.