Dr Obote Warns UPC Over Rally

By Vision ReporterTHE Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president, Dr. Apollo Milton Obote, on Monday instructed party officials to take precaution to avoid “bloodshed” in a rally set for Saturday.The function, slated to take place at the Constitutional Square, is to discuss global terrorism and dictatorship. A source at Uganda House, UPC headquarters, said the Lusaka-based Obote instructed the party’s Presidential Policy Commission chairman, Dr. James Rwanyarare, on phone to ensure that the lives of members of the public who will attend the rally are protected.“The rally is a foundation for Uganda’s freedom and should be attended by every patriotic Ugandan,” Obote is reported to have said. “If there is any sacrifice of blood to be made, I would rather that you, Rwanyarare, sacrificed your own life rather than risk the lives of innocent citizens,” Obote added.UPC said 30 heads of diplomatic missions and religious leaders had been invited to the rally, and that President Yoweri Museveni is expected to be among the speakers.Museveni’s political assistant Moses Byaruhanga said Museveni had not yet received the invitation. The Police have warned the public not to attend the rally, saying it is illegal. Rwanyarare confirmed that the conversation between him and Obote took place.He said Obote is convinced that the Police and the army would like freedom but are constrained by circumstances.Rwanyarare said UPC will treat even those who are deployed to stop the rally as friends and fellow sufferers instead of enemies.Peter Walubiri, the rally’s organising committee chairman, told The New Vision yesterday Museveni’s letter was sent to the President’s Office at the Parliamentary Buildings last week.He said UPC Youth League officials who distributed the invitations had a delivery book that president’s office staff refused to sign despite having received the letter.Byaruhanga said he is not aware of any letter having been delivered to the president’s office.“In 2000 Ugandans voted in a referendum on whether to resume political party activities. “They voted overwhelmingly to reject the idea and support the Movement system. So if the UPC people are law abiding and democratic, they should respect the will of the people,” said Byaruhanga.Ends