Chaos in Nebbi Over Lc5 Swearing-in Ceremony

Patrick Okaba and Felix Warom

28 May 2011

The police on Thursday block ed agitated voters who were demonstrating to demand the swearing-in of the LC5 chairman for Nebbi District.

The demonstrators had started the march from Pakwach stage through Uringi Road and entered the main road to the Local government administration block. But before they could enter the main gate to deliver their petition to the Chief Administrative Officer, Mr Patrick Langoya, they were intercepted by the police.

The police took about 15 minutes to plead with the about 80 demonstrators to retreat, but the determined voters said it was their right to demand for the swearing-in of their leader.

Petition

In the petition, they said: “We are demanding for the swearing-in of our chairman Ezrom William Alenyo as concerned voters because we are the ones who elected him and not the judiciary.”

The District Police Commander, Mr Alex Wabwire, told Saturday Monitor that Mr Robert Onega was arrested as the ring leader who was inciting violence.

“This was unlawful assembly meant to confuse the mind of innocent people and aimed at causing violence,” Mr Wabwire said. But the demonstrators besieged the police station for hours demanding the immediate release of Mr Onega.

By Thursday evening, Mr Onega (FDC), a former contestant in Padyere parliamentary seat, was at Nebbi Central Police Station.

Last week, the Arua High Court judge, Justice Joseph Mulangira, lifted the injunction that Mr Alenyo was seeking not to allow his opponent, Mr Robert Okumu (NRM) be gazzetted.

However, the court hearing is scheduled to start on June 1, pending the judgment.

Mr Alenyo was sued by Mr Okumu citing irregularities in the elections and the Chief Magistrate’s Court granted a recount.

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