By KT Reporter
Security operatives are engaged in running battles with groups of youths along the Kyotera-Mutukula highway, which connects Uganda to the Republic of Tanzania.
Groups of youths in the different trading centres on the highway staged protests to express dissatisfaction with the Presidential elections results that were declared by the Electoral Commission on Saturday.
In Kyotera and Kalisiizo town councils, Ssanje and Kakuuto trading centres, groups of youths have barricaded the road, interfering with free traffic flow.
Police and military personnel are struggling to contain the youths, who are blocking the road with burning car tyres, large stones and logs of trees.
The rioters are also pulling down President Yoweri Museveni’s posters and those of other NRM candidates, and setting them on fire.
The stalemate reportedly broke out on Saturday night, after the youth started throwing stones and smashed a window of a police pickup, which was patrolling Kyotera town council.
Moses Lubwama, a taxi driver on the Kyotera-Mutukula highway, says their operations have been disrupted by the unrest that has generated a lot of fear in the area.
”It is risky to drive on the road, apparently, unless someone has an emergency that requires travelling,” he says.
Margret Namulidwa, a saloon operator in Kyotera town, says many businesses are still closed and security patrols the area.
”We have been asked to close the business and go back home. Last evening, there were a lot of gunshots allover the town as security operatives battled the rioters,” she indicated.
Twaha Kasirye, the Greater Masaka Regional Police Spokesperson, says the security agencies are responding to the situation, which he says will be contained shortly.
He says they have arrested several ringleaders of the riots, and more are still on the run.
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