Lukwago adamant on holding meeting

By Shamim Saad

KAMPALA - Embattled Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, has insisted he will hold a meeting today (Thursday) at the JEEMA office despite being denied permission to do so.

He said he is tired of the way police treats him.

“Enough is enough. I must come out of my house today and hold a meeting whether the police wants or not,” he said at his home in Rubaga.

Police denied the opposition politician permission to hold the meeting, saying it would cause chaos.

Lukwago, together with Rubaga North MP, Moses Kasibante had sought permission to hold a rally, but the police rejected their request.

Police spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba, said although the two politicians had formerly written to be granted permission as required their by law, police would not allow the meeting to go on.   

Nabakooba explained that Lukwago was requesting to hold a meeting in his capacity as Lord Mayor.

“Accordingly, we have no option but to advice that Honorable Kasibante should not go ahead with the planned meetings as it is likely to cause a breach of peace,” she said in the statement.

“We advise the general public not to participate in a planned meeting as it is illegal,” read the release.

Nabakooba further said police recognizes the right of the politicians to hold consultative meeting in their constituencies but could not allow it to go on because of its potential to cause unrest in the city.

She said the decision had been reached with advice from the Attorney General.

The latest development follows police’s refusal to grant Lukwago permission to hold a rally in St. Matia Mulumba church to consult voters on the way forward after his impeachment last year.