Police sealed off Soroti city sports ground which is likely to affect FDC manifesto launch
The launch of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party manifesto hangs in balance after police sealed off Soroti city sports ground, the venue for the scheduled event.
FDC presidential candidate Patrick Amuria Oboi Amuriat (POA) is scheduled to officially launch the manifesto today Monday at Soroti city sports ground but police sealed off the venue earlier designated by Electoral Commission on Sunday evening at about 4 pm.
Led by the Soroti district police commander (DPC) Simon Tsiamusangira, police blocked the FDC presidential campaign committee led by Soroti city interim mayor Paul Omer from erecting tents in preparation for the Monday event.
DPC Tsiamusangira ordered the FDC team not to erect any tents on the sports ground citing security reasons. Tsiamusangira said police have received alerts that some FDC members want to disorganize the peace of the people and that the ground is near the Soroti Regional Referral hospital which might disrupt the patients’ peace because of the likely noise that might emanate from the event.
This led to a bitter exchange of words between police and the FDC committee.
”I have told you the place is not suitable…As security, we receive intelligence reports,” said Tsiamusangira.
Omer claims that they have been allowed by the Electoral Commission to use the sports ground after writing to police headquarters, but now are surprised that the police have blocked them from using the venue.
Tisamusangira explained that as security, they are not allowing FDC to use the sports ground and advised them to find an alternative place if they want Amuriat to even be allowed to come to Soroti.
“For now the stability of this place my brothers is not okay. It is close to the hospital then also other people might come and disturb you…there are very many other venues,” Tsiamusangira added.
This is in contradiction with the early communication by Soroti police spokesperson David Ongom Mudong who said police had already okayed the launch and that police was ready to provide security as long as the organisers and attendees observe the coronavirus standard operation procedures (SOPs).
