Reports coming in indicate that Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been arrested and whisked to the central police station.
The Lord Mayor had showed up to support parkyard market vendors who are protesting against the KCCA minister Betty Kamya’s letter, in which she gives them an altimatum of 30 days to vacate the land on which their market stands.
Last week, the venders held a meeting with KCCA council where they aired their opinion on the matter. They claim Kamya wants to give their land to an investor for re-development, but believe they too have the capacity to do the same.
Over 1000 venders ply their business in this area and have vowed to die on their land, but they will not be moved. This morning, police deployed heavily after learning of a plot by the traders to strike. During the dramatic scenes, the Lord mayor is said to have showed up in support and ended up getting arrested.
We cannot confirm circumstances underwhich Lukwago was arrested since our efforts to speak to Emilian Kayima the Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson were futile as he was not picking our several calls.
Traders accuse a one Hamis of attempting to evict them.