A surging sea of radical supporters loyal to opposition icon Col Kizza Besigye donned with red ribbons engaged security in running battles on Wednesday in his home district of Rukungiri in Western Uganda.
The red ribbon symbol is used by opposition political actors in Uganda as an awareness to fight the proposed constitution amendment bill by the ruling party legislators in Parliament.
The bill seeks to scrap article 102 (b) of the constitution that limits one to contest for the highest office in the land should he/she clock 75 years of age.
Majority of Ugandans view the NRM’s new move as a plan to pave way for President Yoweri Kaguta’s life rule.
Police fired live bullets and volleys of teargas to disperse a procession which was led by FDC founder Kizza Besigye.
Besigye and his loyalists were headed to Rukungiri Stadium to stage a rally against age limit removal.
FDC Secretary for Mobilization Ingrid Turinawe also known as ‘iron lady’ said that any attempts by police to block the peaceful gathering would be repelled and if need be force used.
Opposition members, civil society activists, religious leaders and several prominent citizens have advised Parliament to drop age limit bill saying Museveni should serve his last term.
But the NRM bigwig last week endorsed the bill and vowed to crash anyone who attempts to threaten those supporting the age limit removal.
