Democratic Party president Norbert Mao has said the blocking of a rally he convened in Gulu was a waste of police time and resources and has vowed to convene another rally soon.
Mao said this today during a press conference at the Northern Uganda Media Club in Gulu.
The DP president jointly addressed the press conference with Gulu Municipality Member of Parliament Lyandro Komakech, his Kilak County counterpart Gilbert Olanya and former Aruu North MP Lucy Achiro.
The Mao rally which was to be jointly addressed by other Acholi leaders was meant to tackle the recent security concerns which in the district; the attack on Opit army detach; the attack on Gulu central police and the arrest of opposition politician Oola Dan Odiya.
‘‘The rally was stopped because it was going to shine a bright light on the issues being hidden. But the rally was different because it was bringing together people from different political shades,’’ said the DP president who condemned the police for blocking the rally.
He vowed to organise yet another rally soon, saying blocking his rally by the Uganda police force clearly distinguishes those for peace and those against peace and that the quest for peace shall not be deterred not even by guns.
“There is nothing more that our people love more than being in peace and nothing will deter us from rallying our people for that, nothing will deter us to achieve peace not even guns.” Mao stated
Mao, twice the MP for Gulu Municipality before he became Chairman Gulu district said that as Acholi leaders they convened the rally to talk ‘‘peace’’ with the people.
“It was not my meeting, it was a meeting for leaders from Acholi sub region, we contacted Richard Todwong, East African Legislative Assembly Speaker Dan Kidega, Hon. Hilary Onek and we all agreed to have the peace rally” Mao stated, “we gave a one week notice to IGP but his office did not communicate to us.
Kilak South Member of Parliament Gilbert Olanya who was also at the press briefing restated Mao’s call for peace adding that the rally was not a political one.
“It was to tell our people never to participate in any rebel activities, we are confident that we don’t have rebellion in Acholi sub region, although there are wrong elements we are telling them we shall not support you,” Olanya stated.
Police say the Gulu rally was blocked because it was not cleared by the police.
