Police to hunt NRM supporters’ attackers

Kampala Metropolitan Police are tracking a group of youth who disguised as President Museveni followers and attacked National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters in a procession celebrating the nomination President Museveni yesterday.

Mr Patrick Onyango, the spokesperson of Kampala Metropolitan Police, said the attackers were captured on CCTV cameras, adding that a hunt for them had already started.

“We cannot allow violence during elections. Two suspects have already been arrested. All these people who were involved in acts of hooliganism will be traced and prosecuted,” Mr Onyango said.

Accusations

The group was also dressed in NRM yellow T-shirts and joined the procession. But when they reached Kisekka Market, they started beating and hurling stones at the NRM supporters.

They were joined by other groups, prompting the NRM supporters to flee and abandon their procession. Some supporters abandoned their motorcycles.

The attackers accused police and other security agencies of bias while enforcing election guidelines.

The arrested two suspected attackers told police that they were “just helping police to enforce set guidelines against processions in Kampala City”.

After he was nominated, President Museveni said he would deal with any group that would engage in violence against NRM supporters during the general elections.

Despite EC and police guidelines banning processions and gatherings for fear of spreading coronavirus and causing traffic jam, the NRM supporters yesterday violated them without any intervention from security.

The police also looked on as NRM supporters entered the city centre freely, which police had earlier said was prohibited.

Police blocked some roads to allow presidential aspirants access the nomination centre at Kyambogo University in Nakawa Division. The traffic, especially on the eastern side of the city, was dire as motorists spent hours in jam. Mr Godfrey Kasumba, a resident of Bweyoyerere Village, said it took him four hours to reach his offices in Kampala.