The National Unity Platform (NUP) has vowed to drag the government to court over the killing of their supporter, Misaki Okello. The announcement was made by NUP coordinator Mwiru Paul.
Mwiru said the party is liaising with the family to take legal action against the government, noting that if accountability is not pursued, more innocent lives will continue to be lost.
“We condemn the killing of people. We are peaceful, and we have always engaged the police. We shall be suing the government so that they account for who killed our people,” Mwiru said at the burial in Buyende District.
Okello was shot dead shortly after a campaign rally for National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, in Iganga.
Misaki, a human resources graduate and timber seller, leaves behind six children and three wives.
According to Bobi Wine, the violence erupted after what he described as a peaceful and successful rally. He said that as supporters were heading home, security forces including the police and military opened fire on unarmed civilians.
Okello was shot through the head, while several others were critically injured. The victims were identified as Nuwamanya Samuel (24), Naminya Banuli (44), and Faima Namusobya (24).
Police issued a separate statement presenting a different account of events. According to the force, officers deployed to maintain public order were attacked with stones by sections of the crowd, allegedly incited by the candidate. Police said the confrontation left some officers seriously injured and resulted in damage to several patrol vehicles.
The statement added that during efforts to disperse the crowd, one civilian was shot and killed, identifying the deceased as Meshach Okello, an adult male.
