Besigye, A4C officials at Kololo for rally

By Andrew Ssenyonga and Jeff Lule

Thursday, 6pm

Activists for Change (A4C) rally held at Kololo Independence Ground has ended peacefully. Police granted the pressure group  permission to hold the rally this afternoon.

 A4C coordinator  Matthias Mpuuga , opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, MPs Ibrahim Semujju (Kyadondo East), Brenda Nabukenya (Luwero ), Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Kawempe Municipality Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa were among top politicians who attended the public rally amidst tight security. SEE GALLERY

All routes leading to the venue were heavily guarded and motor vehicles and boda boda movement restricted.

In the city centre and the suburbs police heightened both motorized and foot patrols with armed policemen from the mobile police patrol unit (MPPU) seen patrolling the either on police patrol trucks or on foot.

Thursday, Midday

Activists for Change (A4C) coordinator Matthias Mpuuga and other group members have arrived at Kololo ceremonial grounds for a rally.

Present include; opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, MPs Ibrahim Semujju (Kyadondo East), Brenda Nabukenya (Luwero MP), Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Kawempe Municipality Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa among others.

Members of public have also started arriving amidst heavy police deployment.

In the city centre and the suburbs police heightened both motorized and foot patrols with armed policemen from the mobile police patrol unit (MPPU) seen patrolling the either on police patrol trucks or on foot.

Police defended the magnitude of deployment, saying it was aimed at guarding against an eruption of violence. "We just want to avoid chaos in the city because we know that when they (A4C) fail to make news they resort to violence," deputy Kampala police spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi said. 

Police directior for operations, Grace Turyagumanawe is overseeing the deployment.

In the city centre and the suburbs police heightened both motorized and foot patrols with armed policemen from the mobile police patrol unit (MPPU) seen patrolling the either on police patrol trucks or on foot.

Government banned A4C rendering all activities of the outfit illegal. Activists face seven years in jail if they defy the ban.

                         Conteplating the next move? A4C coordinator Mathius Mpuuga and Ingrid Turinawe

 The decision to proscribe the group which lately has been behind a series of political agitations in the country and particularly the city, was taken by Cabinet and executed by the Attorney General (AG), sources said Wednesday.

The group came to prominence last years for organizing walk to work campaign to protest among others against the rising cost of living and alleged corruption in government.

 A statement signed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura and issued by the Government media centre Wednesday evening confirmed the developments.

"Nyombi issued a Declaration of Unlawful Societies Order in respect of Activists for Change (A4C). This statutory order was exercised citing A4C as a society dangerous to peace and order in Uganda," statement read, adding as "the IGP it now befalls on me and the police force to enforce this statutory implement on behalf of the government."

 In the statement Kayihura said much as the police have an obligation to allow groups to exercise their rights and hold lawful rallies as is their constitutional right to do so, such rights had been abused by A4C.

Relying on section 56 of the Penal Code Act (PCA) government outlawed the group, just a day ahead of the group holding a political rally at the Kololo ceremonial grounds today.

The section out laws unlawful society and states that an unlawful society is one comprising of two or more persons whether known by name or not, if it is formed for the purposes of among others levying war or encouraging or assisting any person to levy war on government; killing or injuring or inciting to the killing or injuring of any person; destroying or injuring or inciting to the destruction or injuring of any property, subverting or promoting the subversion of the Government or of its officials and committing or inciting to acts of violence or intimidation;

"In the past many rallies organised by groupings and bodies have turned violent when infiltrated by A4C. The democratic purpose of such rallies has of late been overshadowed by the apparent efforts of the A4C society to use such events to incite civil disobedience and disorder."

"A4C have openly called for the overthrowing of Government, openly called on civilians to take arms and turn them against police and government. A4C have used stones and other weapons at these rallies leading to mass injury amongst civilians, journalists and police alike, and most recently loss of life. The police welcome and will work with opposition parties and other groups that wish to demonstrate as is their constitutional right," Kayihura stated.

He said there is no way such a degree of violence would go unchecked. "The Attorney General holds a responsibility to redress these unlawful actions in the interest of civil society and under section 56 of the Penal Code is well within his remit to declare the A4C grouping unlawful. To ignore this violence is simply unacceptable and it would be negligent for the government.