By Matthew Okello
TORORO
Two Tororo District LV Councilors have been remanded to Morukatipe government prison for leading a demonstration over the poor state of Nangongera Road.
The two, Eddy Obela of Kataluja and Nicholas Ofwono of Kisoko were today, 6th November, 2023 sent on remand by the Grade One Magistrate, Elijah Iradukunda on charges of Public Nuisance till 9th November, 2023 when they will reappear before court for bail application.
Earlier in the day, Police used tear gas and live bullets to disperse angry protestors who had gathered in different parts of Tororo- Nagongera road protesting the poor state of the road
The protestors carried placards with writings showing their disgruntlement over the impassable and dusty road.
They blocked different parts of the road and planted banana stems in the muddy parts and in manholes, a move that prompted road users to look for alternative routes though dozens of them stood in solidarity with them through words of encouragement.
After persistent stay on the road, police then swung into action and used tear gas and live bullets to disperse protestors who had gathered around Morukiswa health center II. Police action paralyzed service delivery at the health II forcing many patients to go back home.
In the process, the district councilors. Eddy Obella of Katajula and Nicolas Ofwono of Kisoko were arrested.
Benjamin Opendi one of the protestors told Eastnews that they are tired of losing lives on Nagongera road and traders registering losses out of the bad state of the road
The Kisoko district councilor, said that the government has often promised to work on this road for years and nothing is seen on ground
Benerd Opendi the district councilor of Nawire said that there is no way West Budama will attract any meaningful development when they can’t access the market with their goods and worst of all one needs like 1 hour to move from Nagongera to Tororo town.
Meanwhile the Tororo resident district commissioner Nixon Owole condemned the protest and noted that it served no purpose since the government has already shown commitment to work on the road.
He noted that demonstrations are usually to draw government attention but in a position where the government is in the know, there is no need for such a move and the government has started addressing the road issue by constructing the Rubongi bridge.
He quashed the allegations that many people are dying on the road due to road accidents, noting that even on air transport where there is no pothole, accidents still occur.
He said that the councilors were only struggling to be relevant in Tororo politics
According to the penal code act section 160 rights, common nuisance is punishable by imprisonment for one year if found guilty.
After the court, the district councilor of Katajula Eddy Obella pinned the Tororo district chairperson John Okea for being behind their arrests and remand.
