Opposition Party Forum for Democratic Change FDC has refuted claims that some of its members may have instigated the chaos in Arua on Sunday that erupted after the arrival of the body of slain Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abririga.
Abiriga and his brother Saidi Buga Kongo were last Friday gunned down a few metres from their home in Kawanda near Kampala by unknown assailants.
Chaos erupted on Sunday as mourners who had camped at Arua Airfield overpowered security, taking control of the slain legislator’s casket and moved with the casket around Arua town.
The chaos later spread to Abiriga’s home in Anyafio, where angry youth destroyed chairs and tents that had been set up to host mourners for the night vigil.
Speaking at Abiriga’s burial last evening, NRM Secretary General Justine Kasule Lumumba said some FDC members, including an MP mobilized people to cause chaos.
Kasule Lumumba, also accused the opposition of taking advantage of Abiriga’s death to launch early campaigns.
However the FDC has dismissed the claims as false.
FDC Party President Patrick Amuriat says the FDC leadership was “wrongfully implicated” in the chaos.
According to Amuriat, UPDF officials were last evening hunting for Obongi County MP Kaps Fungaroo, for mobilizing the rioters in Arua.
Meanwhile, some NRM leaders have asked President Museveni to allow them to start early Campaigns for the upcoming Parliamentary by-elections in Arua Municipality.
NRM Vice Chairman for northern region Sam Engola made the request during the burial of the slain Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga and his brother Saidi Butele Kongo last evening.
Engola expressed worry that even before the late Abiriga’s body was laid to rest, the opposition was already campaigning for a by-election.
Engola noted that often times, late campaigns cost the ruling party.
