Teargas As Police Disperses Besigye Rally In Gulu

Police in Gulu yesterday dispersed a rally by former Forum for Democratic Change presidential candidate Kiiza Besigye.

Besigye was attempting to address Gulu market vendors when he found all roads leading to the market blocked by heavy police deployment.

His attempt to negotiate with the police to allow him addressed the vendors was futile and within a space of three minutes police was already firing teargas and rubber bullets.

The cause of the firing of the teargas appears to have been an attempt by Besigye to drive past the police barricade.

Besigye was in Gulu for a regional conference for the Forum For Democratic Change, taking place at Free Zone Hotel,  less than 100 meters away from the  Gulu main market.

Besigye drove towards the hotel, flashing his trademark V sign when the police stopped him.

Martin Okoyo, Gulu district Police Commander approached Besigye urging him to call off his rally. Besigye retreated upon being blocked by police and drove off along Dr. Corti Lucille Road to join the Gulu Kampala and drove on Airfield road towards the army barracks before he branched off and sped towards Lacor Trading Centre. The former presidential candidate then joined Juba road, driving past St Joseph’s College Layibi and eventually joined the Gulu- Kampaal Highway.

Police gave chase but eventually gave up.

Two people were injured by rubber bullets during the scuffle near the Gulu market. One of the was Mercy Paska Akello, a councilor four representing Tegwana Parish in the Gulu municipal council. She was hit in the upper neck and left ear.  The other was Canwat Stephen, a driver of the car which carried  the public address system that Besigye planned to use.

Chagga Oyat, the FDC Gulu Secretary General in Gulu condemned police for blocking Besigye.

But Gulu DPC Martin Okoyo said Besigye did not seek for permission to hold a rally at the Gulu market.

The FDC regional conference which ends today is also being attended by FDC party President Mugisha Muntu.