Gun fire rocks Arua town as security forces disperse crowds

Security forces on Monday evening fired live bullets to disperse opposition supporters who were marching on Dorcus Inzikuru Street in Arua town.

Some bullets reportedly hit and killed Yasin Kawuma, who was driving the car of Kyaddondo East Member of Parliament (MP), Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine.
Four people were also reportedly injured in the chaos.

However, Arua Resident District Commissioner, Mr Peter Dibele could not confirm the death or the number of people who were injured.
“I only heard gunshots and my officers are still gathering information. I am also getting it on the media and I can’t confirm about the deaths,” he said.

Mr Kyagulanyi later posted a picture of the seemingly lifeless Kawuma on his twitter account.

Trouble started after different candidates were marching to their respective offices with supporters after campaign rallies ahead of the Wednesday by-election to choose a new Arua Municipality MP.

Supporters of Mr Kassiano Wadri, an opposition-leaning candidate were marching ahead of supporters of Ms Nusura Tiperu, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate when security forces shot at Mr Wadri’s group, forcing them to disperse as most ran for their lives.
The group retaliated by hurling stones at the security forces.

Mr Kyagulanyi is one of the politicians who were in the town to campaign for Mr Wadri. President Yoweri Museveni was also in Arua to campaign for Ms Tiperu.
The Arua Municipality MP seat fell vacant after the assisinatoon of MP Ibrahim Abiriga in June.