By Zurah Nakabugo & Robert Mwanje
July 20, 2004
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KAMPALA � Police are hunting ringleaders of the Buganda kingdom-backed federo demonstration in the city. Hundreds of pro-federo agitators on Friday gathered at Mengo to express their anger over failure by the government to give Buganda a federal status. The youth-dominated the two-day function organised by �Ggwanga Mujje� association that marched from Bulange to the Kabaka�s palace at Lubiri. The gathering, in front of Bulange, carried placards and wore caps that bore demands for federo, the return of Kampala to Buganda and the 9,000 square miles. Kampala Extra Regional Police boss, Mr Oyo Nyeko said Mengo officials who organised the procession and leaders of Gwanga Mujje Association would be prosecuted for acting without police permission. He said police�s concern was about demonstrators� marching beyond Bulange. He said demonstrators marched up to Clock Tower and along city streets, which is against the Traffic Act. �We (Police) shall arrest organisers and activists once identified. It is wrong to stage illegal processions without Police permission,� he said. He said during the Police briefing in Kampala yesterday that police would arrest whoever participated in the demonstration. �If you have a procession of more than 200 people, you must seek Police permission and clearance from the Inspector General of Police before staging it.� The Kingdom spokesman, Mr Peter Mayiga, said demonstrators did not break any law in the eyes of democracy. �This was a peaceful demonstration, they did not harass anybody neither did they destroy any property. They had a right to express their feelings about the constitution,� he said. |
� 2004 The Monitor Publications
How come e Kisanja supporters are not similary hounded by the police?
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