Africa-Press – Uganda. POLITICS UNREST SECURITY
Lawlessness and hooliganism under the guise of political activity as the country has witnessed on a number of occasions shall not be accepted and shall be dealt with firmly and decisively, security agencies have warned.
Addressing the media on Friday, the heads of security warned that violations perpetrated through social media and other abuses orchestrated through irresponsible traditional media are unacceptable in a free and democratic society and will also be dealt with according to the laws of the country.The Inspector-General of Police Okoth Ochola who was flanked by the Chief of Defence Forces Gen. David Muhoozi, Commissioner General of Prisons Johnson Byabashaija and Ambassador Joseph Ocwet the Director-General of External Security Organisation also noted that they had commenced investigations into the deaths that occurred during the riots following the arrest of National Unity Platform Presidential Aspirant Robert Kyagulanyi.Ochola encouraged the members of the public to cooperate fully. The IGP noted that the country was holding Presidential/Parliamentary elections in the middle of a global COVID-19 pandemic with rising levels of infections and deaths.”To control the spread of this pandemic, statutory instruments were issued under the Public Health Act to regulate public activity that has the propensity to accelerate the spread of the virus. This includes burials, religious gatherings, schools, places of entertainment, political gatherings,” Ochola noted.He noted that the Electoral Commission (EC) came up with guidelines on how the elections can be conducted safely and in compliance with the above regulations.
“The Public Health (Control of COVID-19) (Amendment No.3) Rules, 2020, issued on 9th November 2020, provides that gatherings for purposes of political meetings must not exceed two hundred (200) persons. The meeting/rally of no more than 200 people must be conducted in observance of Standard Operating Procedures (social distancing, hand washing, and wearing of masks) and in designated places to help promote the health and safety of the public,” Ochola stated.Ochola noted that in light of the released guidelines, mobilizing supporters to gather at campaign venues in large numbers is illegal. “All processions are banned including those held on public roads, through towns and trading centres. Holding rallies in non-designated venues as per the harmonized campaign program violates the Electoral Commission’s guidelines,” Ochola said.He also announced that making impromptu stopovers in trading centres, attracting and addressing public gatherings along busy highways from car rooftops, and other spontaneous public addresses are a violation of the Electoral Commission’s Guidelines and the COVID-19 Rules which provide for the conduct of the campaign meetings only in the approved venues and in accordance with the harmonized campaign program, which clearly indicates the dates, time and location of such meetings.Ochola noted that “non-compliance with the law and the Guidelines issued for the campaign period necessitates the intervention of law enforcement agencies to safeguard public health and safety.”On Friday, EC singled out Kyagulanyi and Forum for Democratic Change Presidential candidate Patrick Amuriat and asked them to report to their offices and explain why they had continued breaching theEC and Ministry of Health guidelines.
The Police boss stated that the mandate of the Uganda Police Force as provided in the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, and the Uganda Police Force Act Cap 303, is the protection of life and property, prevention and detection of crime, keeping law and order, and maintenance of overall security and public safety in Uganda.”The mandate of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) under the constitution and the UPDF Act of 2005 includes national defence, preserving the sovereignty of Uganda, and aiding the authorities and sister security agencies where disturbance of the peace occurs or is likely to occur. The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, the Police Act and the UPDF Act enable the UPF and the UPDF to jointly work together on matters of national security. We have accomplished several tasks of security significance, through joint coordination,” Ochola added.He observed that they had faced challenges in the enforcement the EC Guidelines and COVID Rules due to;Deliberate and consistent non-compliance and lack of adherence to EC guidelines and the law by some Politicians. Deliberate acts of provocation, obstruction and attacks on law enforcement officers.
Deliberate departure from routes and venues that have been agreed upon with the candidate’s district’s agents. Rampant hooliganism and riotous behaviour.Disobedience of lawful orders and failure to responsibly lead and guide supporters by some political actors on the proper behaviour required to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.Assault and violent conduct towards security personnel in the line of lawful duty. Total disregard for life and public safety.Incitement to violence, hate speech and promotion of sectarianism, fake news are being orchestrated through social media. These, in addition to blackmail, threats and cyberbullying of officers and their families in an attempt to discourage them from carrying out their assignments.”Stakeholders like the Press are failing in their public responsibility to educate and provide awareness about the EC Guidelines and COVID-19 Rules. This has led to a spike in infection rates and deaths from COVID-19. In addition, there is failure by the Press to consistently point out these breaches of public health laws instead of glorifying the breaches as an exercise of freedom of assembly. These freedoms are not absolute and should not be exercised in a manner that prejudices the rights and freedoms of others,” Ochola noted.Ochola said that lack of a unified approach and consistency in emphasizing the seriousness of following the EC Guidelines and COVID-19 Rules by a cross-section of all national stakeholders leaving law enforcement alone to handle the consequences of these breaches.The IGP defended the police on the arrest of Kyagulanyi in Luuka district on November 18, 2020, together with others because of his consistent and blatant breach of the EC Guidelines and COVID-19 Rules.
The Police boss noted that Kyagulanyi’s supporters then rioted committing several criminal acts of looting, staging illegal roadblocks, robbing of motorists and pedestrians, sectarianism and hate speech, undressing women, damaging private and Government vehicles, burning government buildings including Wobulenzi Magistrates court and Katwe-Katale Police post, burning tyres, etc.”These riots were not spontaneous but were planned and unravelled earlier than intended. Police is analyzing the evidence that points to these plans and to their execution,” Ochola said.IGP noted that unfortunately, some innocent lives were lost in the riots but also some of the rioters lost their lives during their violent charge against the security forces.”Investigations have been sanctioned and are ongoing regarding the registered deaths arising out of these riots which will inform the appropriate course of action. We call upon the public to fully cooperate with these investigations.”Ochola noted that the Police are also aware of some efforts that are in play to interfere with the investigations.”We would like to warn all those involved in this interference that they shall face the full face of the law if they do not stop forthwith,” the Police boss stated.Gen. Muhoozi empathized with the families that had lost innocent people who had nothing to do with the riots. He noted that the riots were organized, planned and publicized and it was a matter of when and how. He noted that it had upped their level of preparedness to prevent such happening in future
“As security agencies within our different dockets, we have roles and responsibilities which zero down to two. Responsibility to protect the citizenry and the responsibility to preserve the responsibility, stability and security of the country.He noted that the optics of disorder are not good for investment and business. Business which creates opportunity of our people.”We have been treated in the last few weeks to a lot of commentary about these events but commentary has unfortunately been about the consequences and not the cause of these events. I understand too well that ordinarily, it would be difficult to anticipate with precision the consequences of individual group action intended or otherwise,” Muhoozi said.
