Bobi Wine supporters
Police in Jinja are holding 13 youths attached to the National Unity Platform (NUP) for organizing an illegal gathering as an undercover wedding.
The supporters of musician turned politician Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine were netted at Young Men Christian Association- YMCA conference center after they converged members from other districts to discuss politics.
Police said the organizers had written to them seeking permission to hold an event they described as a wedding ceremony, only to later realize it was an unlawful political gathering.
Kiira Regional Police Spokesperson James Mubi says when the police discovered the wedding was an unlawful political gathering, they sent Field Force Unit operatives to disperse the NUP members and it led to the arrest of some rowdy leaders who resisted leaving the venue.
Mubi says the police officers were forced to fire tear gas and engage in running battles with members present at the event. He adds that three vehicles were impounded and towed to Nalufenya as exhibits in their case.
“There was a deception at YMCA management because when these people were requesting for space, they said it was for a wedding reception. How it turned into an unlawful assembly is a matter we are investigating. We have impounded three vehicles, tents and chairs. We are working expeditiously to have all inquiries exhausted and the suspects taken to court. said Mubi
However in a tweet , the NUP chief Bobi Wine condemns the arrest of his supporters stating that their event was peaceful.
“Police in Jinja attacked a peaceful gathering of our comrades and injured several of them. They fired tear gas and shot live bullets leaving many in critical condition. Others were violently arrested.we shall continue to resist this criminal regime. This is our country he tweeted.
