Police in Kira are holding six people for inciting violence and malicious damage following a series of violent protests.
The six suspects are currently detained at Kira Division Police Station on charges of inciting violence and malicious damage.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango, the arrests were made after security forces intervened to prevent an unauthorized meeting organized by several political leaders.
The planned meeting, which was to take place at Kasokoso Beach, Kireka Ward, Namugongo Division, was called by Kira Municipality Member of Parliament Hon. Ssemujju Nganda, Nakawa East MP Hon. Balimwezo Ronald, Wakiso Woman MP Hon. Naluyima, and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. The leaders had mobilized people from over 12 villages and zones to attend the meeting aimed at planning resistance against impending NEMA operations and evictions.
Onyango explains that security agencies, aware of the massive mobilization and the potential for demonstrations, resolved not to allow the meeting to take place, especially as the organizers had not notified the police.
He explains that Police and military operatives deployed heavily at the venue to prevent the meeting from proceeding. Despite attempts to engage the leaders, they vowed to go ahead with their plans, moving away to address the gathered crowd in the middle of the road, thereby blocking traffic and causing inconvenience.
According to Onyango, in response, police used reasonable force to disperse the crowd.
He says Hon. Ssemujju was escorted back to his home, while other leaders fled the scene.
Onyango has appealed to the public to notify the police in advance when organizing meetings expected to draw large crowds, so proper security measures can be planned.
