Calm has returned to Masaka town after a day of protests over load shedding.
On Friday, anti riot police were forced to shoot in the air and fire teargas to disperse a group of traders and opposition politicians who took to the streets to protest what they called worsening power outage.
The demonstrators led by Peter Mutesasira, the former parliamentary candidate for Masaka Municipality and Meddie Lutaaya, the Masaka FDC youth leader carried placards with statements calling for the disbandment and termination of UMEME contract.
Some messages on the placards demanded for the immediate sacking of Kirunda Magoola, the UMEME branch Manager for Masaka whom they accuse of arrogance and incompetence.
The clashes between protesters and anti riot police commanded by Eddie Sserunjogi, the Masaka DPC forced police to close UMEME offices and ordered the workers to return home.
Noah Sserunjogi, the Southern Region Police Spokesperson says the town is now peaceful following the reconnection of power last night. He however says UMEME offices remain closed until police is certain that no more protests are being planned. He also says police is maintaining security at UMEME offices.
Godfrey Kayemba, the Masaka Mayor who toured the town on Saturday morning says Nyendo, Kyabakuza, Kimanya and central business town of Masaka are peaceful with all the people doing their businesses.
Kayemba however asks overnment to ensure stable power supply to stem the growing anger among Ugandans. Kayemba says many people are now very angry with UMEME because of load shedding which is affecting their businesses.
Willy Agirembabazi, the Regional Officer for the Uganda Human Rights Commission says they are investigating the excessive use of force by police against the anti load shedding protesters.
Agirembabazi who witnessed the clashes says police used live bullets against the protesters who were unarmed.
He has asked the protesters to avoid destroying peoples property if they are to enjoy their rights to demonstrate.
// Cue in: “ That the right to demonstrate…..”
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On Friday, George Wamboko, the UMEME engineer attributed the persistent load shedding on transformer vandalism. He claimed that several of their transformers have been vandalized by thugs.
