By Kampala Post Reporter
The Police have warned Presidential aspirants that are clandestinely releasing consultation roadmaps and mobilizing their supporters.
“We have noticed that some political actors and groups have released roadmaps for public consultations online and went on calling delegates and supporters to take part in these consultations. We would like to remind them that it’s a requirement under the EC (Electoral Commission) guidelines, for all Presidential aspirants to formally notify the police,” Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga says.
Enanga adds that Police is currently monitoring all politicians planning consultations to ensure they don’t flout the Electoral Commission guidelines. He said, based on the experience in Kasangati, Jinja and Soroti where Presidential hopefuls Robert Kyagulangi (Bobi Wine) and Kizza Besigye were holding illegal assemblies, “We would like to ask all politicians and their organizers to work with police to achieve their objective of consultations.”
On January 6, the police dispersed Kyagulanyi’s consultative meeting and had him arrested in Kasangati after his supporters engaged in acts of hooliganism contrary to the Public Order Management Act and the Electoral Commission guidelines. The same happened to former FDC President Kizza Besigye in Soroti and Jinja after the former Presidential Candidate held illegal processions.
Enanga says the police is ready to respond to any acts of violence caused by the politicians and their supporters. “We continue to gathering intelligence on all potential risks and threats to public safety. We have plans to respond proportionately, in the face of any violent situation by using minimum but necessary force that may include the use of teargas to disperse and arrest the offenders,” the Police Spokesperson warns.
He adds: “All our territorial commanders have been reminded to train and equip our officers to maintain public order and to further have effective plans of mobilizing officers within their territorial jurisdiction or across territories where necessary.”