Police warns against holding rallies

By Moses Walubiri

The police force has advised politicians to desist from holding rallies, processions and demonstrations until after the country's Golden Jubilee celebrations in a week's time, saying any such activities could undermine national security.

In a strongly worded statement on Sunday in which he reiterated the police force's resolve to execute its constitutional obligation of regulating the conduct of public meetings and processions, police chief, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, urged the public to ignore what he called "misleading statements, leaflets, and other negative information meant to dissuade them from marking a major milestone in the country's history."

"As you are aware, the country is preparing for the Golden Independence jubilee, and as earlier advised, it is of paramount importance to scale down on such activities and gatherings in order to afford opportunity to concentrate on preparation for the national event without interference," Kayiyura noted.  

The development comes in the wake of a letter  on Saturday by Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, informing the police of his intention to tour  places where traders recently evicted from the New Taxi Park where relocated, and thereafter, address a gathering at the Constitutional Square today.  

Kayihura contends that Lukwago's planned activities are not in good faith since he had earlier attended a press conference during which, 4GC, a pressure group that government deems unlawful unveiled its plans to resume its activities today.

"It's therefore, not a coincidence that the program of the Lord Mayor is at the same time with the beginning of For God and My Country (4GC) program,"

Kayihura said 4GC intends to use this use as a cover to "cause widespread and sustained violence and destruction" meant to mar preparations for independence celebrations.

However, 4GC had told journalists on Saturday that its planned activities ahead of the Golden jubilee celebrations are against unemployment, corruption, land grabbing and human rights abuses.

The pressure group was formed in May following the declaration of another pressure group, Activists for Change (A4C), "an unlawful society."

The group had prior its banning organized demonstrations (walk to work) against what it said was high cost of living.

 However, these demonstrations had a knack for turning violent thus paralyzing businesses and life in Kampala and its suburbs.