Police in Wandegeya fired teargas and live bullets this afternoon as police tried to block the National Unity Platform (NUP) party president and presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine and his supporters from driving to Bulange in Mengo.
Shortly after the High court dismissed with costs a petition challenging the legality of Kyagulanyi's acquisition of National Unity, Reconciliation and Development (NURP now NUP) and its leadership, Kyagulanyi set out to proceed to Mengo for a scheduled meeting with Buganda kingdom premier, Charles Peter Mayiga.
However, Kyagulanyi, who was driving in the company of his excited supporters, was cut off by heavily armed Field force Unity, Local Defense Unit and military police between Wandegeya traffic lights and around Makerere University main gate. Police attempted to stop the group from proceeding to Bulange in vain, prompting the officers to use live bullets and teargas to disperse them.
Some officers tried to drag Kyagulanyi from his vehicle at Makerere University main gate leading to a scuffle with his bodyguards. Some of the supporters joined the bodyguards to protect Kyagulanyi and overpowered the security officers who wanted to arrest him. Kyagulanyi later managed to get his way to Bulange.
Prior to the standoff in Wandegeya, there were chaotic scenes at NUP offices in Kamwokya shortly when news came through that court had thrown out the petition that sought to overturn Kyagulanyi's acquisition of NURP. Security blocked hundreds of NUP supporters along Kira road who wanted to access the party offices to celebrate their court victory.
Speaking to journalists, Kyagulanyi described the court case as bogus, saying it was brought by the regime to curtail NUP's progress. He said despite their court victory, the regime had successfully disrupted their efforts, which saw over 50 NUP aspirant decide to run as independents because of the unnecessary uncertainty.
Shortly after the High court dismissed with costs a petition challenging the legality of Kyagulanyi's acquisition of National Unity, Reconciliation and Development (NURP now NUP) and its leadership, Kyagulanyi set out to proceed to Mengo for a scheduled meeting with Buganda kingdom premier, Charles Peter Mayiga.
However, Kyagulanyi, who was driving in the company of his excited supporters, was cut off by heavily armed Field force Unity, Local Defense Unit and military police between Wandegeya traffic lights and around Makerere University main gate. Police attempted to stop the group from proceeding to Bulange in vain, prompting the officers to use live bullets and teargas to disperse them.
Some officers tried to drag Kyagulanyi from his vehicle at Makerere University main gate leading to a scuffle with his bodyguards. Some of the supporters joined the bodyguards to protect Kyagulanyi and overpowered the security officers who wanted to arrest him. Kyagulanyi later managed to get his way to Bulange.
Prior to the standoff in Wandegeya, there were chaotic scenes at NUP offices in Kamwokya shortly when news came through that court had thrown out the petition that sought to overturn Kyagulanyi's acquisition of NURP. Security blocked hundreds of NUP supporters along Kira road who wanted to access the party offices to celebrate their court victory.
Speaking to journalists, Kyagulanyi described the court case as bogus, saying it was brought by the regime to curtail NUP's progress. He said despite their court victory, the regime had successfully disrupted their efforts, which saw over 50 NUP aspirant decide to run as independents because of the unnecessary uncertainty.
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