4GC rallies banned in Kampala

By Innocent Anguyo and John Tatyamisa

The Police in Kampala have banned all political rallies organised by opposition pressure group For God and my Country (4GC).

Kampala Metropolitan Police boss Andrew Kaweesi on Friday said activities of the group in the city had been indefinitely suspended.

The group is accused of peddling hate, sectarianism, violence, and attacks on government officials. The Police say their activities have become breeding grounds for laying plans to sabotage city security.

Asked if it was not illegal to restraint members of 4GC from exercising their constitutional right to express themselves, Kaweesi argued that the group was a resurgence of Activists For Change (A4C), which was outlawed by the Attorney General last year.

“We are suspending political rallies organised by 4GC members because the group comprises the same people from A4C. What has come out of the rallies is a direct contradiction of what they say in their letters seeking permission to hold rallies,” said Kaweesi.

“The rallies have become concerts for political opponents to incite violence, name call, abuse the President and instigate a sense of hatred among the public based on sectarian tendencies,” he added.

Kaweesi noted that the Police were charged with a constitutional mandate of maintaining law and order, and as such would not allow the group to cause disorder in the city and insult the President and other government officials.

He identified some of the members of the group as Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kyadondo East MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Butambala MP Muwanga Kivumbi, Masaka municipal MP Mathias Mpuuga and Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze.

In the past, former Forum For Democratic Change leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and Kawempe mayor Mubarak Munyagwa had been linked to the group.

“We have been lenient with them, but this has been abused. This time, we are going to be extremely hard because they have taken us for granted,” he warned.

Kaweesi said the Police had recorded some of the speeches made by members of the group, especially by Lukwago during recent rallies at Kasubi trading centre and Mulago Hospital playgrounds.

He said Lukwago and other 4GC leaders would soon be summoned to substantiate their “subversive” statements.

The ban, according to Kaweesi, stands until the Attorney General lifts it.