An unidentified woman being rushed to Kasana Health Centre after collapsing during the demonstration. It is alleged that she was hit by a tear gas canister. Photo by Dan Wandera
A female police officer and 5 other people have this Wednesday been admitted to Kasana Health Centre IV in Luweero Town after sustaining injuries in a demonstration by Luweero Town Council residents protesting poor garbage disposal system by Luweero Town Council authorities.
Authorities at Kasana Health Centre confirmed to the Daily Monitor that Ms Kabajasi Joelia, attached to Luweero Central Police Station, was hit by a sharp object on her lower jaw. A two-month-old baby and four women were also injured as police attempted to disperse the demonstrators, who had blocked traffic on the Kampala-Gulu Highway. Most of the injuries were attributed to teargas fired by anti-riot police to disperse the demonstrators.
“We have some patients here who are being attended to by our staff including a police officer hit by a sharp object.We also received a baby rushed here by the Red Cross team among other patients.They are recovering and will soon be discharged,”Dr Agaba Byabakama told the Daily Monitor at the Health Centre on Wednesday.
The demonstrators, led by Luweero Town Council Mayor Mr Charles Ssebyala, had earlier tried to gain access to the Luweero Town Council Offices but were blocked by anti-riot police led by Luweero DPC Mr. Samuel Bamuzibire.
The demonstrators erected barricades on the Kampala-Gulu highway at Kasana Town, temporary blocking traffic on the busy highway. Police fired teargas in an attempt to clear the highway and normalize traffic flow, prompting the demonstrators to pelt Police with stones.
The residents accuse the Town Council Officials of failure to dispose garbage at all the garbage collection centres in Luweero Town. They also accuse the Town Clerk, Mr. Muluuta Mugaga, of crippling the activities of the town council. Mr Mugaga refused to comment on the allegations.
Addressing the demonstrators, the Central region Police Commander Mr. Richard Mivule said disrupting traffic is a serious offense and that residents should channel all their grievances through the authorities.
“It is bad for you people to block the highway. We know that you have problems but these problems should be channeled through your elected leaders and we hope they have heard and will settle this problem” Mr. Mivuule told the demonstrators.
By Dan Wandera, Daily Monitor
