Police in Rukungiri district has reportedly arrested and detained a number of traders who today closed their businesses to in protest against the lock up the opposition FDC Candidate Col Dr Kizza Besigye.
The stay-at-home protest was announced this week as part of the party’s wider “Free My Vote” campaign which follows the February 18th presidential elections that they claim were won by their candidate.
On Thursday morning most of the shops in the western Municipality were found closed as traders joined in the protest.
Police, according to FDC officials moved and arrested some of the traders who closed their businesses. The party Secretary for Mobilization Ingrid Turinawe identified the arrested as one Mr.Batuma and Sonko of Sonko Electronics.
She also revealed that many more traders were being hunted by police for closing their shops. Another party official Harold Kaija also confirmed the development and promised to get back to us with details.
The regional police spokesperson Mr Elly Matte, who we later established was on official leave, would not return our repeated requests for comments.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said he was unaware of the development and refused to discuss it stressing, “I don’t comment on rumors.”
He said however that owners of private businesses should not be forced to come to work.
“This is a private business,” he said. “It’s not a public organization or company, so someone can be told how to manage their own business.”