Drama ensued in the Ghettos of Kamwokya, a suburb of Kampala when police fired teargas and live bullets while battling rowdy supporters of People Power political pressure group led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine, the Kyadondo East MP.
Aspirants from various constituencies, mainly around Kampala, who were returning nomination forms for endorsement by the pressure group ahead of 2021 general elections mobilized crowds to escort them.
However, hell broke loose when a large group of rival factions from Rubaga North constituency clashed, attracting crowds at the People power secretariat.
Also, crowds were pulled by a group led by KCCA Speaker Abubaker Kawalya, James Mubiru the People Power coordinator in Rubaga, and Shamim Malende who wants to contest for the Kampala District Parliamentary seat.
Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire says the activities were flouting guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and the Electoral Commission in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
He noted that all aspirants are not allowed to convene public rallies because of the inability to guarantee physical distancing when crowds converge.
Owoyesigyire noted that police used teargas after the various factions failed to heed to advice to disperse, but hastens to add that the Police leadership has advised area leaders to ensure that all activities taking place are in line with guidelines to protect the population against a possible spread of the pandemic.
However, Shamim Malende said the police action was cowardly.