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Two dead in Rukungiri anti age limit chaos
Mdics attend to one of the people who were injured following a standoff between police and Opposition supporters in Rukunguri on October 18, 2017.
Two people have been confirmed dead after being reportedly shot in Rukungiri Municipality as police clashed with Opposition supporters who had gathered for a rally organised by FDC presidential candidate Patrick Amuriat.
While eye witnesses said Edson Nasasira, 22, a taxi tout at Nabugabo stage and resident of Kafunjo cell, Eastern division in Rukungiri Municipality was shot dead during the standoff between police and supporters of the Opposition police insisted he was hit by a stone.
The second person died in hospital where he had been admitted with serious injuries.
It all started when police that was being commanded by Richard Emuna, the Rukungiri District Police Commander blocked all routes heading to Rukungiri Municipal Stadium where Mr Amuriat was to address a campaign rally.
Mr Amuriat was accompanied by former FDC president Dr Kizza Besigye and other top FDC officials including Ingrid Turinawe and Patrick Oboi Amuriat. Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was also among the politicians slated to address the rally.
Before the rally could start, police fired teargas and live bullets in the air to disperse supporters who arrived in many groups wearing red ribbons and singing, Togikwatako,(don't dare touch it). This is in reference to Article 102(b) of the constitution which sets 35 and 75 years respectively, as minimum and maximum age caps for someone to stand as president.
Police said they had not been notified about the rally and therefore it was illegal.
Supporters braved teargas and live bullets and started pelting stones at police officers. In the process Kakuru was shot in the head and he died on spot.
Mr Besigye's car was shot at and a bullet appeared to go through its rear wind screen, while that of Turinawe had the entire rear windscreen shattered.
Richard Emuna, the Rukingiri District Police Commander, declined to comment on the issue. However, he had earlier said that police was not informed and that there was no way they could allow such a gathering.
But Virginia Kyarugahe, the FDC party Chairperson for Rukungiri District insisted that police was notified in time but they are only biased.
Igara West Member of parliament Raphael Magyezi early this month tabled a Constitution Amendment Bill seeking to repeal Article 102(b) arguing that the provision is discriminatory. But many see Magyezi's move as an attempt to open the door for President Yoweri Museveni to contest again when his current term expires in 2021. By then Museveni will have ruled Uganda for 35 years, but will be above 75 years of age.
