Forum for Democratic Change leader Kizza Besigye and several other Activists for Change (A4C) officials were yesterday taken to Case Clinic after they sustained injuries following running battles which erupted between police and A4C supporters at a planned rally in Katwe, a city suburb.
Dr Besigye bled profusely from his left leg, after he was hit by fragments of an explosive device that was lobbed in his direction.
New devices
“They are using a new kind of teargas that emits metal fragments on explosion,” dramatist and A4C member Paddy Bitama told this newspaper.
Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Sempala and FDC Women’s League leader Ingrid Turinawe were also taken to the same clinic with injuries to the head and chest.
Ms Turinawe’s vehicle was also vandalised and her personal belongings stolen.
By press time yesterday, Ms Sempala was still on oxygen after losing consciousness, while FDC youth leader Francis Mwijukye was admitted after he was reportedly hit by a rubber bullet on his right leg.

Bad governance
Mr Mwijukye has been crying foul over harsh bail conditions that confine him to his home village in Ankole Sub-region, western Uganda.
He must seek permission when he is travelling out of the region to Kampala to attend court.
Others injured include, Sam Kalule, Shafiq Tebandeke and Abdul Karim Twinomugisha.
“This tells a lot about President Museveni’s government. The manner in which the rally was handled shows the kind of government and security apparatus we are dealing with,” Western Youth MP Gerald Karuhanga told journalists when he visited the injured at Case Clinic yesterday.
The A4C officials had attempted to hold the rally at about 3:30pm yesterday.
“There was a brief exchange of words with police who had a letter, saying the rally was not allowed,” an eyewitness told this newspaper.
Police has, however, blamed the incident on “hooligans” whom they said threw stones at police without provocation. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.
“That rally was to be held in Kiwafu and not Katwe,” Police Spokesperson Asuman Mugyenyi said.
Mr Mugyenyi said the Katwe rally had been denied twice because the venue was reportedly too close to the Kampala-Entebbe highway and very near a busy market. Kasangati reacts
News of Dr Besigye’s injuries provoked an uproar in his Kasangati home area, outside the city, with residents temporarily barricading the Kampala-Gayaza road.