Chris Ocowun
19 November 2008
Kampala — BUSINESS at St. Mary's Hospital, Lacor and Lacor trading centre came to a stand still on Tuesday. When the Police dispersed a rally organised by Gulu mayor Christopher Acire.
The rally was to inform the residents about the planned tarmacking of Lacor Road.
"We almost lost two babies who were in the acute ward," the hospital communication officer, Josephine Anying, said. She said the Police's action had disorganised the hospital.
The Police impounded the public address system, which was being used to mobilise the residents.
The mayor criticised the Police, saying he had the right to consult his people on developmental issues without interference.
Acire said he would go ahead with the rally.
"It's unfortunate that the Police are being used to disperse us instead of protecting us."
Gulu Police boss, Moses Okello, told the mayor that no such rally would be approved.
Okello said the Police had advised the mayor to call-off the rally but he resisted. "We were forced to use teargas, it does not kill," he said.
He denied allegations that the Police fired teargas inside the hospital.
Okello said the mayor boycotted a meeting called by the resident district commissioner Col. Walter Ochora and opted to organise the rally.
The vice-chairman of Gulu district, Makmot Kitara, said they were told that Lacor Road would be tarmacked in March 2010. The project that includes Olwiyo-Gulu-Kitgum Road is being funded by Government.
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