Police in Gulu have asked Norbert Mao, the LCV district chairman and DP president to return to his district at night.
Police argues that Mao’s return to the district in the daylight might provoke situations and disrupt prevailing peace.
During a stakeholder dialogue on human rights held in Church Hill Courts in Gulu Moses Muluya, the Gulu District Police Commander, said that Mao sought permission from Police to let his supporters welcome him back from jail in a procession that will begin from Minakulu Sub County, 34Km away on Gulu – Kampala highway.
While in Nakasongola Prison, Mao sent a message that he would address the public after release from Prison in rallies and over radios.
DP supporters in Gulu say they want a procession in solidarity with their leader for the sufferings he went through in jail.
But, Muluya says Mao’s request endangers prevailing peace and public order. He says even when they have described it as peaceful; he suspects it will degenerate in to chaos that disrupts busy traffic flow on Kampala-Gulu-Juba Road.
Muluya told the gathering that he has advised Mao to silently return at night and conduct peaceful assembly with his supporters in a gazetted playground for the sake of peace.
Mao’s Vice LCV Chairperson, Mckmot Kitara says he has advised his boss against holding such a procession and insists on he must adhere to Police guidelines.
But MckBaker Ochola, the retired Bishop of Kitgum Diocese questioned the intention of the police and said the people of Northern Uganda held several walks for peace in the past without disrupting any public order or business.
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