POLICE | ENANGA | PLANNED RIOTS

KASESE - Police has warned all leaders of political and pressure groups against inciting members of the public into engaging in violence, saying they risk being arrested.

Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, in a statement said they have obtained credible intelligence that some political groups were planning to hold riots and demonstrations.

"We wish to inform the public that the leadership of the Joint Security Agencies has obtained credible intelligence about plans by National Unity Platform (NUP), the newly formed “Peoples Front for Transition, and other political actors, to hold riots and political demonstrations across the country, beginning, Monday, November 8. 

The intelligence reveals how NUP has mobilised its political leaders at various levels from Members of Parliament, Councilors and other local actors of violence, to hold riots and political demonstrations, over the lawful remand of two opposition MPs namely; Muhammad and Allan Ssewanyana. The other reasons they are fronting rotate around the ongoing bail reforms," Enanga stated.  

On the other hand, Enanga said the Peoples Front For Transition, has through their leader, the Col. (Rtd) Dr. Kiiza Besigye, called for all forceful means to take over a legitimate government.

"As you all know, politically motivated violence is dangerous, and as witnessed during the November 2020 violent riots and political demonstrations, can lead to loss of lives and massive destruction of property.

It is, therefore, unfortunate that selected politicians from the opposition have reached a conclusion, that incitement to violence and related acts of looting, destruction and vandalism, is the only ticket to political change and relevance in Uganda. These are, however, not real or legitimate causes for them to pursue violent agendas," noted the police publicist.

Enanga said the Joint Security Agencies have taken hard lessons from the November 2020 riots and political demonstrations, and the collateral damage suffered.  

This time, he said, security agencies are going to respond swiftly and target the perpetrators, professional instigators of violence, ring leaders, participants and those who may be funding such illegitimate acts of violence.

Enanga said so far four suspects have been arrested from the NUP cell in Kasese with plans of incitement to violence and related subversive activities.  

The suspects include: Bryans Basisa, 37, a resident of Kamaiba ward; Isaac Mumbere, 31, resident of Nyangi village; Geoffrey Bwambale, 29, male nurse residing in Nyagoda 1 village; and Atanazio Isande, 27, Laboratory technician residing in Ibanda I cell.

According to Enanga, all the suspects are detained at Kasese Police Headquarters.  

"The operations to crack down all criminal elements involved in the planning and preparation for the violent riots and political demonstrations, are still ongoing," warned Enanga.

He clarified that security agencies were not targeting free speech rights, but were rather focused on calculated and loosely coordinated campaigns of instigating violence, with intentions of further escalating it into a civil uprising.  

The police publicists said their responses will ensure the rights of the majority of Ugandans, to life and property, are not disrupted by the perennial instigators of violence.