Heavily armed anti riot police personnel have raided the FDC offices in Tororo to disperse a group of youths who were planning to stage anti Electoral Commission protests.
The incident occurred this afternoon at the Tororo FDC offices along Uhuru Drive in Tororo town.
Trouble started yesterday when opposition supporters in Tororo tried to stage the anti Electoral Commission demonstration but they were blocked by police.
Today, about 20 opposition youths regrouped at the Tororo FDC offices to ready themselves for the demonstration forcing police to break into the offices.
The policemen assaulted the youths and also confiscated official FDC documents, posters and other materials that they were planning to use in the demonstration.
They also ordered the office closed immediately. The raid that lasted for close to 30 minutes caused a heavy traffic jam along Tororo-Senior quarters as business grounded to a halt.
Joseph Engwedu, Tororo District Police Commander has defended the police action saying that they tried to stop the youths from holding an illegal demonstration in vain.
Engwedu says that police was not notified about the planned demonstration.
The dispersed youths have regrouped at the Uganda People's Congress Offices along Market Street to chat away forward.
John Okoth, the Inter Party Cooperation youth coordinator for Bukedi region says that their demonstration will go on as part of their national campaign to compel government to disband the Badru Kigundu led Electoral Commission.
He says that as opposition supporters they want government to appoint an Electoral Commission that is representative of all political parties in the country.
Kezia Nyakecho Ochwo, Tororo District FDC chairperson says that they will not be intimated by the Police action. He said that police is also suffering from the problem the IPC is trying to address.
Engwedu says police shall remain alert to ensure the demonstration does not take place.
