FDC woos police to join ‘free my vote’ campaign prayers

Masaka District police commander, Mr John Mwaule, speaks to FDC’s organising secretary for Masaka sub-region, Mr Joseph Ssenzoga. PHOTO BY MARTINS E. SSEKWEYAMA 

By MARTINS E. SSEKWEYAMA
Posted 


Thursday, March 31 

2016 at 

01:00

In Summary

Seeking a higher power. The campaign that includes praying every Tuesday across different party offices started early this month.

Masaka. Forum for Democratic Change leadership in Masaka District has wooed police officers in the sub-region to join them in the “Free my Vote” campaign.
The FDC enthusiasts led by Mr Joseph Ssenzoga, the party’s organising secretary for the sub-region, made the request to a group of anti-riot police officers commanded by Mr John Mwaule, the district Police commander, that blocked the ‘Free my Vote’campaign prayers.

The group had converged at the party offices located on Elgin Road in Masaka Town; in line with their “Free my Vote” campaign prayers. But they were ordered to call off the prayers and vacate the place or risk arrest.
The campaign that includes praying every Tuesday across the country at the different party offices started early this month.
Mr Mwaule subsequently ordered Pastor Umar Zzimbe of Kirimya Pentecostal Church who had been invited to lead the prayers to leave the venue, before ordering other FDC supporters to take back all the chairs and tables they were using.

After they were successfully dispersed, the enraged FDC supporters started preaching to police personnel to join them in prayers instead of running after them. “You also share the same problems as we do. Let us join hands and consistently find solutions to our challenges instead of harassing us,” Mr Ssenzoga told the DPC, as other supporters chanted the party slogan. In response, Mr Mwaule cautioned the FDC supporters against using what he described as provocative language and advised them to organise their activities within the confines of the law. Last week, FDC party members in Masaka District conducted their prayers uninterrupted although police had threatened to block them.
But Mr Robert Tumwesigye, the FDC organising secretary for Masaka District, vowed not to halt their prayers despite police interference, saying their intention was not to cause chaos but to exercise their constitutional right of freedom of expression.

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