Business came to a standstill yesterday for more than six hours as police and taxi drivers fought running battles. A similar riot had raged the previous day in Bushenyi, after a taxi driver, Mr Faisal Bagyeraki, was shot dead by police there after he failed to stop at a roadblock.

Yesterday's riot began at around 8:30 a.m. when anti-riot police dispersed a demonstration by the drivers in the town centre.

The rioters retreated, re-organised themselves into groups and blocked most of the roads leading into the town.

They also resumed their demonstration, this time carrying an empty coffin, which police confiscated. Banks and most of the offices and shops here closed as teargas fumes hang over the town.

Several cars were smashed, including that of Mr Ofwono Opondo, the Movement Secretariat director for Information. Opondo was heading to Kakoba National Teacher's College to give a lecture to cadres.

"Police here has failed to contain the situation," Opondo told The Monitor. "How can hooligans put up barricades in the centre of the town and start throwing stones at any car that passes?"

An employee of Mbarara University, Ms Angella Ahimbisibwe, was injured in the thigh by a stray rubber bullet, the regional CID chief, Mr Terence Kinyera, said.'

Two boda boda cyclists, whose identities were not available, were also hit by stray rubber bullets but sustained minor injuries. Deputy mayor Nuliyati Musoke's car was also damaged while the tyres on that of the District Internal Security Officer, Lt. Aziz Buwedewo, were deflated.

A pick-up truck full of armed Regimental Police personnel from the army's 2 Division headquarters in Mbarara was pelted with stones but dispersed several rioters without firing a single shot.

The riot cooled down at around 1 p.m. after the rioters and anti-riot police agreed to "cease fire and return to base". Representatives of the taxi drivers later met security officials in the RDC's office at 2:30 p.m.

They reportedly aired out their grievances, which included allegations that the traffic police in the district are too harsh on them.

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