The Uganda Police has cautioned the leading opposition party NUP to desist from holding mass rallies without seeking guidance from the force.
Police spokesman Fred Enanga warned the NUP against breaking the law while conducting their ongoing “Kunga” public engagements.
Instead, he said, NUP ought to follow the example of other parties such as the NRM, FDC and DP which have ensured to involve the police force in their activities.
“As the Joint Security Agencies, we have obtained credible about plans by NUP to reactivate their structures, through various mobilisation drives, in cities and major towns, to cause acts of disorder and lawlessness in the country. This development comes at a time when the county has been very peaceful,” Enanga said in a statement.
“We therefore, call upon the NUP leadership to avoid such clandestine methods of work and instead use legitimate means to achieve their objectives. We also encourage them to emulate the other political parties like the FDC, NRM and DP, that have continued to work within the provisions of the POMA and in harmony with the police.” He said.
Enanga further stressed that all response teams have been placed on standby “and will respond, swiftly, targeting the ring leaders and perpetrators of violence involved.”
The warning comes following ugly scenes in the western district of Kyenjojo on April 6th where police blocked NUP Leaders and supporters meeting.
In the process, the party’s chief mobiliser Fred Nyanzi and Coordinator Ibrahim Musinguzi were seriously injured and admitted at Kyenjojo hospital.
NUP Spokesman Joel Senyonyi insists that as registered political party, they do not need permission from police to engage with their members and supporters.
He further alleges that on several occasions they have written to police about their public meetings and received no response, only for the force to block their meetings later.