More than 60 people have been arrested in Kampala city centre in an operation against planned protests called out by National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine.
An officer-in-charge of one of the city police posts says that by 1 pm they had arrested over 63 people but the operation was still ongoing. Most of the people who have been arrested are those wearing dreadlocks, long hair and dressed in the red colours associated with the NUP party.
The officer revealed that police had received intelligence that NUP members had been mobilized to stage impromptu riots to dispute the January 14 presidential elections.
"We have received information that hundreds of NUP supporters had staged in strategic places in the city to cause havoc. We got some of their pictures and names of these people. We've picked some of these and we're looking for others," the officer said.
Patrick Onyango the Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson said they're still compiling figures of the actual number of people arrested.
"We've deployed police, LDU and military to provide security and prevent unlawful protests. Some people had placards and we've arrested them for inciting violence," Onyango said.
Kyagulanyi yesterday said he won the elections with 54.9 per cent and rallied people to rise peacefully and secure their victory that he said was robbed by the Electoral Commission. Museveni was declared the winner by Electoral Commission with 58 per cent while Kyagulanyi scored 35 per cent.
John Kintu one of the people found detained at the Central Police Station (CPS) said he was not even aware of the planned protests but was shocked to be arrested by police. There's also information that 40 others were picked from their homes in the night.
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