Police not witch-hunting Mbabazi, says Kayihura

By Charles Etukuri and Carol Natukunda

Police have launched investigations into claims that certain individuals associated with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) were going around the country securing signatures, using methods that amount to criminality such as bribery or on the basis of falsehoods.

In a statement issued Tuesday, the Inspector General of Police Gen. Kale Kayihura speaking for the first time over the arrest of some youths said they were not targeting anyone or victimizing supporters of a particular individual.

Kayihura also assured the leadership of the NRM party specifically, the Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, as well as the other persons implicated, and the general public that nobody was being targeted for their opinions or because of who they support or not support.

“The press continues to carry misleading stories that an ongoing investigation by the Police of certain persons associated with NRM party, who have been moving around the country collecting signatures is, in fact, harassment of supporters of Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, the Prime Minister, and that the harassment is because of their political opinions, and inclinations.  We wish to clarify that this is not correct.  The Police is not targeting or harassing any such individuals, or anybody for that matter, let alone, because of their political opinions as claimed in media stories,” Kayihura stated.

“The reports we are investigating are that those from whom they seek signatures are bribed with money, or misled as to the actual reasons the signatures are being sought.  For instance, the Police received reports of a group of people moving around collecting signatures from people in Kampala, falsely claiming that the intention was to take them to the President so that the longstanding promises the President are, at last, fulfilled.  Others were paid money (actually bribed) ranging from shs 50,000 to 500,000 depending on their respective status in the NRM party.”

Kayihura in a statement read by the Police Spokesperson, Judith Nabakooba also said there were other reports of money being unlawfully paid (bribery) out by different teams going around the country.

“While any person, is free to solicit and receive signatures for lawful purpose, those signing must do so freely without undue or unlawful compulsion or any unlawful influence through false representations, and, certainly, without money exchanging hands, unlawfully such as bribery. It should be voluntary on the part of the signatories.  There are reports that some local leaders involved, actually abused their respective offices, which is criminal.”

“Indeed, expressing an opinion is not, by itself, a criminal offence and it is not correct to interpret the Police actions as harassment of someone freely expressing his or her views on this or that political issue.  As we noted above, our focus is investigation of reported criminal behavior.  If they are innocent, they have nothing to fear.  They will be cleared.  If they are culpable, however, they should be prepared to face the judicial process”, Kayihura stated.

He also assured the public that the in spite of the negative and diversionary stories, Police shall not be deterred.

“The Police will not be intimidated, or blackmailed and shy away from bringing to justice any member of public alleged to have committed an offense, their political “opinions” or inclinations notwithstanding,” he said.

In a press conference, Mbabazi called for the immediate release of the youths who had been detained.