KAMPALA: How Security Forces Foiled Today’s Planned Opposition Demonstration

By Our Reporter

 

NATIONAL

Joint Security Forces have successfully foiled a planned demonstration by members of the opposition this morning, 18^th January, 2024.

 

On Wednesday, a number of opposition leaders especially from Kyagulanyi’s NUP and Besigye’s Katonga Rd FDC faction met and threatened to hold a peaceful demonstration over the poor state of roads in Uganda’s Capital City, Kampala.

 

First was the surveillance of Kizza Besigye’s home at Kasangati by masked men riding motorcycles with only single number plates. These men were seen around Besigye’s vast farm home in the afternoon of Wednesday, shortly after the Katonga Rd meeting.

 

Early this morning, 18^th January, 2024, a joint force of Police and UPDF was deployed at Besigye’s home barricading entrance and exit.

“Barricaded at home by the COWARDS! No turning back; we deserve better. Please do what you can, wherever you’re, with whatever you have, to show the terrible roads affecting you today,” Besigye later took to his X handle.

 

Dr. Kiiza Besigye’s residence is currently heavily guarded by a combination of police and military forces, in anticipation of scheduled opposition protests that aim to highlight grievances regarding poor road conditions.

 

Meanwhile, Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago woke up to find his residence surrounded by security personnel. His attempts at convincing the security agents that he was merely moving out to monitor what SFC is doing on Kampala roads fell on deaf ears.

 

Security personnel were also deployed at NUP President, Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine’ home at Magere, Wakiso District, as a preventive measure of a planned protest by key opposition leaders against the poor state of roads in Kampala City and other parts of the country.

 

Information from NUP indicates that as NAM Summit 2024 proceeds, Kyagulanyi planned to spotlight Uganda’s governance and infrastructure issues through a unique protest starting with planting banana stems in the City’s potholes.

 

Police and military cars blocking the entrance of NUP president’s home are still deployed there.