Police has foiled a demonstration by NRM youth activists in Lira town to express their dissatisfaction over unfulfilled presidential pledges. Last week, NRM youths activists led by Willy Omodo, the NRM national youth vice chairperson in charge of Northern Uganda threatened to storm the streets today to compel government to implement the pledges.
Some of the key pledges include the construction of Kaguta Bridge in Ogur sub County in Lira district, International Airport, a modern stadium in memorial of Olympic Gold medalist John Akibua, Bank of Uganda Currency center in Lira town and tarmacking of Masindi-Apac-Lira to Kitgum highway. This morning, heavily armed policemen took strategic positions along the streets of Lira town to stop the protests.
Security officials in the district led by Michael Mugabi, the Central North Regional Police Commander convened a crisis meeting with the youth leaders and convinced them to call off the protest. The three hour long meeting was attended by Moses Ogwang Adonyo, Fransic Olwa, Jacob Ocen, Bosco Odongo and Omodo.
Bosco Odongo told URN shortly after the meeting that they were advised by Kale Kayihura, the Inspector General of Police to call off the demonstration who promised to organize for them a quick meeting with the president. Willy Omodo says that they have temporarily accepted to halt the protest until they meet Museveni in their region.
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Moses Ogwang Adonyo, one of the organizers of the demonstration says that they will meet the regional Police commander on Friday this week to schedule the date for their meeting with Museveni. Francis Olwa, an NRM cadre from Alebtong District has appealed to the youths to remain calm as they wait to meet Museveni.
He however, warned that they wouldn’t hesitate to storm the streets on Saturday should the security officials fail to get back to them by Friday this week. Michael Mugabi, the Central North Regional Police Commander has welcomed the decision by the youths to call off the strike.
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Isaac Opio Opeo, Forum for democratic change youth mobilize faulted the decision by the youth leaders to call off the demonstration without consulting other youths. He didn’t rule out the possibility that the youths leaders could have been paid to call off the strike.
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