By John Ogulei
Live bullets and teargas roared Wednesday afternoon in the eastern district of Katakwi as the FDC former presidential candidate Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye attempted to deliver hundreds of kilos of food aid to the famine hit district.
The Katakwi famine came to light recently following media reports of families surviving on mango leaves and ash.
East Kyoga Regional Police Commander Francis Tumwesigye says they decided to use force to disperse the crowd that had illegally gathered waiting for the FDC strongman to deliver food to them.
Tumwesigye says Besigye did not follow procedure for the activity, as he was required to seek police permission first.
Police’s actions however, are being called out by the locals.
The Rtd Bishop of the Anglican Church of Soroti, Bernard Obaikol while speaking to this reporter accused police of being unprofessional and partisan.
He noted that police had no shame denying starving people a chance at free food, and wondered whether the police rejoiced in seeing people die.
Ingrid Turinawe, the FDC national secretary for mobilization while speaking to the crowds earlier accused the regime of segregating people.
“Last time we as FDC delivered food in Isingiro, but immediately we arrived Teso we were blocked. Why?” She wondered.