By Franklin Draku
Police in Busoga Sub-region yesterday arrested and drove Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat out of the region and dumped him at Ssezibwa Bridge, connecting Kayunga and Mukono. After crossing the bridge, the police stopped and pulled Amuriat out of the patrol vehicle before driving back.Mr Amuriat then ordered his drivers to turn back and proceed to Soroti where he is expected to hold campaign rallies. Police barricaded the road leading to Kayunga for several hours causing a gridlock on the either sides of the bridge.The arrestMr Amuriat was arrested at Nkondo, a few kilometers to Bwende Town in Kamuli District. Police had mounted a roadblock at the point for much of the day, ordering all passengers out of their vehicles to check if Mr Amuriat was in one of them.Boda boda cyclists were also stopped and closely scrutinised.At about 5pm, Mr Amuriat arrived with his convoy and police immediately swung into action, violently arresting him. A hooded non-uniformed female officer kept on hitting Mr Amuriat while he was being arrested. At Ssezibwa Bridge, the same officer hit Amuriat before he was dragged away. However, other officers pleaded with Mr Amuriat not to fight back. Advertisement
DeterminedThe FDC candidate said he wouldnot be deterred by the action of the security forces and vowed to continue with his campaigns. “I didn’t expect the regional police commander to behave unprofessionally but this will not stop me and the team,” he said. Mr Waswa Biriggwa, the FDC national chairperson, castigated the police for blocking Mr Amuriat saying for the party, the struggle is far from over.“We are FDC and we shall continue until the end. Even if you block us today, it will not end here. We are prepared for this,” Mr Biriggwa said.Mr Amuriat continued with his journey to Mbale, Tororo and other parts in the region where he is expected to campaign in the coming days.IssueMr Amuriat was arrested at Nkondo, a few kilometers to Bwende Town in Kamuli District. Police had put a road block at the point for much of the day, ordering all passengers out of their vehicles to check if Mr Amuriat was in one of them.editorial@ug.nationmedia.com
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