Supporters of Kizza Besigye yesterday clashed with those of President Museveni in Kasese as the political battle for control of the district ensued.
While addressing a rally at Mubuku Sub-county in Busongora North, a group of 20 NRM youth draped in dry banana leaves arrived.
Dr Besigye’s supporters then seized the dry banana leaves from the group and set them on fire. It took about 10 minutes for the police to restore calm between the two parties.
Freedom to assemble
Mr Monday Karim, the district police officer in-charge of electoral offences, told Daily Monitor that two NRM supporters were arrested for trying to disrupt Dr Besigye’s rallies. He said they will be charged with violent conduct.
The IPC presidential candidate also tried to calm his supporters.
“Leave those sanja (dry banana leaves) people alone. They have failed to learn that we also have freedom to assemble.”
Dr Besigye’s party, the FDC, is fighting to consolidate its presence in this area, the only district in western Uganda where FDC has representatives in Parliament.
Dr Besigye, who carried out door-to-door campaigns in some villages and was set to address a rally in Kasese town later in the evening, was thanked for having advocated the restoration of the Rwenzururu Kingdom. He was accompanied by former army commander Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu and Busongora South MP Christopher Kibazanga.
Mr Kibazanga, who opted not to run for Parliament but for the district leadership position, said the NRM has resorted to organising “hooligans” because they are losing out to the opposition.
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