National Unity Platform President Sentamu Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has condemned the shooting of one of his supporters, identified as Dr. Hamza.
Speaking at a rally at Masaba Secondary School playground in Masaba Sub County, Sironko District, Kyagulanyi said that Dr. Hamza was shot at close range by security forces and has been rushed to hospital.
Kyagulanyi was headed for Budadiri town council in Sironko District, when a group of police officers reportedly cornered a vehicle being driven by Dr. Hamza, beat up all the occupants and later dragged out Hamza and kicked him.
One of the police officers reportedly drew a pistol and shot Hamza at close range.
Earlier, Kyagulanyi had a brief stopover in Buyaga town council, Bulambuli District where he was welcomed by a huge crowd that demanded he addresses them. This did not go down well with the police and the military that were trailing Kyagulanyi. Elgon Region Police Commander Samuel Asiimwe demanded that Kyagulanyi leaves Buyaga town council which lies on the Sironko- Bulambuli highway.
However, Kyagulanyi insisted on addressing the people of Buyaga town council which lies in Bulambuli District where he was meant to be as per the electoral commission campaign programme. RPC Asiimwe then allowed Kyagulanyi to address the people.
Kyagulanyi rallied the people of Bulambuli District to turn out on polling day and vote for change so as to redeem their country. He also asked the people of Bulambuli to remain at the polling stations to protect their votes. This is contrary to the electoral commission’s pronouncement and that of the Chief of Defense Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba that voters should go home after casting their ballots.
In Mutufu Town Council in Sironko District, Kyagulanyi pledged to lead a country free from corruption and promised that promotions in the security apparatus of the country will be based on merit with regional balance in consideration
Kyagulanyi likened the leadership of the ruling NRM to that of the colonialists saying that it is premised on dividing Ugandans making it easy to manage them. Consequently, Kyagulanyi said that is why as NUP, they are on a mission to unite all Ugandans irrespective of tribe and is the reason they are advancing the use of the national flag.
According to Kyagulanyi, following campaigns in several parts of the country, most roads are in a pathetic state and there is urgent need for a new government to sort out the country right. He asked the people of Sironko to stop pleading to the ruling government to improve the state of roads in their areas by electing a new government led by the National Unity Platform.
John Baptist Nambeshe the NUP Vice President for Eastern Uganda accused the NRM government of neglecting Bamasaba even in the appointments in cabinet, boards and commissions. Nambeshe urged Bamasaba to use the upcoming election to vote out the NRM government so as to restore order in the country.
Twaha Kimanya, the NUP flag bearer for the Budadiri East Parliamentary position in Sironko District asked Kyagulanyi that once voted into power, he should reconsider a decision taken by the ruling government stop locals from accessing the Mt. Elgon National Park, a key source of food in form of Bamboo (malewa), a revered delicacy amongst the Bamasaba community.
Kimanya also called for the upgrade of Budadiri Health centre IV to hospital status so as to meet the ever growing number of patients that seek services at the facility.
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