Opposition Democratic Party (DP) has come out to condemn police actions of brutality that saw one person killed and several injured as police disperse crowds in Rukungiri last week during a political rally.
A number of civilians were left injured as well as police officers during the scuffle after police blocked a rally by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party presidential candidate, Patrick Amuriat who was flanked by the former party president, Kizza Besigye.
DP noted that police used unreasonable and unnecessary force to encounter unarmed civilians, calling on the police authority to apprehend those officers that were involved in these nasty scenes.
“We condemn Police actions in Rukungiri, the leaders who had gone to the area had got clearance from the police headquarters, they had booked the stadium and got clearance from the owners as well,” noted the DP Presidential press secretary, Fred Mwesigwa while addressing the media at City House in Kampala.
Mwesigwa said that despite police shying out on what caused the death of the one man, Edson Nasasira (22), they have confirmed reports that he was shot dead by a bullet.
“Myself and the DP president got an expert in reading footage who was trained in Scotland yard, he analysed the footage and confirmed to us that Nasasira was shot dead by police and not a stone as earlier communicated,” Mwesigwa said.
“It is police who killed Nasasira and injured many other civilians who are in critical conditions and can die any time.”
Mwesigwa observed that these actions of the police shouldn’t be left unpunished calling upon the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Gen Kale Kayihura to apprehend whoever was involved in the injuring and killing of people.
Mwesigwa said that the reshuffling of the DPC is not enough but more action should be taken against him and his accomplices because nobody is above the law.
However, the police Spokesperson, AIGP Asan Kasingye on Monday regretted what happened in Rukungiri and noted that investigations have commenced to find out what happened during the scuffle.
Kasingye said that the Police Professional Standards Unit (PSU) is as well on the ground to investigate any police officer who might have acted against the rules and whoever will be found culpable will be apprehended.
“We shall not defend any police officer who violates Human Rights; you will be aligned before Courts of Law and stand to explain your actions,” Kasingye warned.
