By Rogers Wanambwa

KIU, Main Campus c��?? Five people are ascertained to have died while another 34 suffered serious injuries as police and the military confronted supporters of National Unity Platform's (NUP) Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, who were demonstrating over the arrest of the Opposition presidential candidate on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.

The deceased are Mwanje Sandi, a 35-year-old male adult of Katwe, Juma Sendagire, a 27-year-old male adult of Lusanja Kitezi and one only identified as Amasi from Kubbiri in Kampala. 

c��?We do extend our sympathies to their families. The cause of death will be revealed after conducting a post mortem examination. A total of 34 people sustained injuries during the violent confrontations and were rushed to Mulago National Referral hospital for further medical attention,c⬝ Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga said on Wednesday evening.

Enanga gave a further explanation that c��?His campaign trail from West Nile to Acholi sub Region, Teso, Bugisu and Busoga, raised stakes for possible riots and public disorder. The arrest as anticipated by our Joint Intelligence components, sparked off incidents of violent demonstrations especially in the areas of Masaka, Jinja, Kampala city, and its suburbs of Bwaise, Kyaliwajjala, Nabweru, Kalerwe, Nansana, and Mukono.c⬝ 

The other five arrested alongside Bobi Wine are; Dennis Senono, Brian Ssemanda, Adam Matovu, Steven Aokol, Jamali Tenywa.

As it is, police said they had also registered other crimes of looting, vandalism, and robbery by other criminals taking advantage of the violent demonstrations.

c��?We do strongly condemn the tactics used by NUP and those groups that continue to breach the Electoral Commission guidelines during the campaigns. Such acts only promote further violence and lawlessness amidst the threats of COVID-19. We believe it is one of the steps to prepare their adherents into inciting violence and further accelerate their goal of a civil uprising like they have always threatened,c⬝ added the Police Spokesperson. 

The United States Embassy tweeted a statement saying, c��?The United States deplores the violence that has claimed multiple lives today, and we extend our sympathy to the victimsc��?c families and loved ones. We urge all parties to renounce violence, undertake good-faith measures to reduce tensions, and respect fundamental freedoms.c⬝