Barbie Kyagulanyi in a bid to deliver charitable items to patients at a health centre in Nakaseke district met the full force of the police.

Barbie, wife to National Unity Platform NUP chief Robert Kyagulanyi was in the company of area legislators when she was stopped and asked to return to Kampala.

She shared her emotional experience on social media, revealing that her team and legislators were fired at teargas.

Barbie recollected: “Today morning, I travelled to Kikamulo Health Centre III in Nakaseke District to deliver charitable items on behalf of Caring Hearts Uganda, a charitable organisation.”

She revealed in her narration that the area police were aware of her activities in the district.

Barbie explained: “The DPC Mr. Kwesiga John and the RDC Mr. Nayebale Kyamuzigita were aware of this event.
Hon. Brenda Nabukenya (Woman MP, Luwero District), Hon. Allan Mayanja (Nakaseke Central) and Hon. Lukalidde Hassan Kirumira (MP, Katikamu South) and I arrived at the Health Center only to find heavy deployment of security officers commanded by the DPC Mr. Kwesiga.”

The mother of four went on: “As soon as the MPs got out of their vehicles to speak to the DPC, police officers immediately started firing teargas and bullets at us and into the health centre. This caused commotion as pregnant women, children and other people who had gathered in proper observance of Covid-19 guidelines fled in different directions to escape the unprovoked terror.”

Barbie pointed out that some people were injured in the scuffle as police fired teargas and guns in the air to disperse her team.

She stated: “Two ladies including a Journalist were subsequently injured by teargas canisters and bullets fired at close range by the security officers. I was quickly evacuated from the scene and driven towards Bombo Town as police officers pursued us.”

Barbie in her ordeal said: “Once in Bombo Town, we found a heavy security roadblock at which our vehicle was blocked and we were then ordered to return “wherever you are coming from”. We were forced to make a U-turn, and then asked to follow security officers in plain clothes who were travelling in a white Toyota Corolla.”

She further narrated: “There was a quick change of mind when After a few minutes, the officers abruptly stopped and ordered us to make another U-turn and proceed again with our journey to Kampala. We did as instructed and reached home safely.

She regretted: “Unfortunately, we were forced to abandon at the health centre the truck carrying the items we had gone to deliver. These items included maternity beds, re-usable sanitary pads, ‘mama kits, sanitizer, liquid soap, basins and new born baby clothes. We are in contact with leaders in Nakaseke to make sure that this aid reaches rightful beneficiaries.”

Police respond use of teargas

Police, however, explained: “This morning, the 26 August 2021, a team comprising of the area Member of Parliament of Nakaseke Central- Hon. Allan Mayanja, Ms Barbie Kyagulanyi and others had some items which they wanted to donate to Kikamulo Health Centre III in Nakaseke”.

“The 2 refused to comply & instead mobilized their supporters who came in big numbers and entered the medical facility, contrary to e Ministry of Health guidelines on #COVID19. This necessitated the use of non lethal crowd dispersal methods including tear gas to disperse the crowds. Allegations that two people have been shot at is not true.”

Allegations that two people have been shot at is not true.