Zombo: Security engaged in ‘hide and seek’ as activists stage demonstration over poor roads

Zombo, (UG): The security forces in Zombo district were on Wednesday, October 25, on their hoves as the twilight broke through for the activists to carry out the much-awaited peaceful demonstration on the appalling status of roads in the West Nile district.

DailyExpress earlier in the day spotted a multitude of security operatives downed in uniforms and armed with teargas canisters and other ammunition at Mvungu Upper Primary School playground, Oturgang, Ayudu and along the route that leads to Zombo District Local Government headquarters almost patrolling the Paidha Town council using police and military vans.

This publication learnt that the security explored all alternatives to foil the demonstration. Amidst the heavy deployment, military, police and a section of the demonstrators were seen vigorously engaged in running battles within Paidha town council, Zombo town councils and other parts of the district.

According to the organisers of the demonstration, it’s their mandate to demand better service delivery from the government saying; “it has been a promise from the president of this country, that I will tarmac your road, now this is the time we are trying to raise our voice through our leaders no action has been taken.”

“..now we are asking Mr President that the time has come your promises must be fulfilled”, Norbert Jakisa, the organising secretary of the demonstration iterated in a press brief that ended prematurely after security attempted to effect arrest.

All eyes are now fixed on the aftermath of the demonstration because ugly as it was the activists delivered the sermon on the mountain.

The activists who spoke to DailyExpress said that they are eagerly waiting for a response from the government as they prepare to petition the state Attorney if no response is registered from the government.

Sunday Okirwoth, the district mobilizer for the demonstration revealed that they are set to petition the government about the road network crisis, saying in verbatim; “we are going to petition the government because we as the people of Zombo.”

“..we voted for and we love the government, we cannot even run from this government non-other than demanding for what we deserve,” Okirwoth told DailyExpress.

Wednesday’s demonstration was the first of its kind held in the history of the Zombo district in dissatisfaction with the services rendered by the government that gathered votes from the people of the district.