Drama ensued this afternoon after the National Resistance Movement-NRM party occupied space meant for their political rivals Forum for democratic Change-FDC Party.
The two arch-rivals were fighting for Wampewo grounds as a venue for their campaign rallies ahead of parliamentary elections to be held on Thursday June 29.
NRM supporters had painted the venue yellow ahead of a visit by President Yoweri Museveni who is in the area to campaign for the party candidate Sitenda Sebalu. However, according to FDC, the same venue was cleared for a rally by Dr Kizza Besigye who is campaigning for Incumbent Apollo Kantinti.
The commotion led to arrest of NRM Candidate Hon Sitenda Sebalu. He was arrested together with the district NRM chairperson Hajji Abdu Kiyimba from Wampeewo playground, a second venue for today's rallies.
According to a statement issued by Rogers MULINDWA
Communications Officer-NRM, Police could not tell the motive behind this act but the party continues to seek a clear explanation.
“As an exemplary political party, we have therefore taken a decision to shift our rally to Sir Appolo Kaggwa Church of Uganda in order to avoid causing nasty scenes. We call upon our party members to remain calm and focus on the victory within our sight” part of the message read.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander Frank Mwesigwa asked NRM supporters to leave the venue and pave way for FDC, explaining that the NRM rally was approved for Kasangati Saza Grounds and not Wampewo.
Earlier, Police briefly detained independent candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu, for violating guidelines by the electoral commission. Police says Kyagulanyi disregarded police orders to abandon the rally at Kasangati Saza grounds and move in line with a schedule agreed upon by the Electoral Commission. He was briefly detained at Kira Division Police headquarters in Kira municipality.
Bobi Wines rally was later moved to Bulamu-Gayaza while NRM now takes over Kasangati Saza Grounds. NRM will also transfer its second rally to Sir Apollo Kaggwa Church of Uganda
