On July 24, Kizza Besigye, had a rally in Masaka town. Normally there is excitement when Besigye who is the de facto leader of the opposition to President Yoweri Museveni visits an area. He has drawn mammoth crowds, especially in urban centres away from Kampala. In Eastern Uganda, excited crowds started what has become standard fare at Besigye rallies - the crowd gave him money. But in Masaka, although his rally was scheduled for 2pm, there was still no indication by 5pm that something big was about to happen at the venue, Masaka Children's Park.
A few posters and a handful of people huddled in one corner of the rally ground were the only signs of a likely rally. It was market day, and outside the rally ground, as in most of the town, traders were busy vending their wares on the streets.
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