Police deploys heavily in Kampala

By Barbra Kabahumuza

POLICE has deployed heavily in and around Kampala in anticipation of a possible outbreak of violence caused by the opposition politicians who have threatened to disrupt the ongoing voters’ verification exercise.

There was heavy presence of Police around the Constitutional Square, Parliament, Electoral Commission Offices, KCCA Building, Independence Grounds, and Railway Grounds, Queens Way, along Entebbe Road, Kalerewe, Bwaise, Kawempe, Nsambya Traffic lights and other surrounding areas on Sunday.

Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Patrick Onyango when contacted confirmed the deployment, saying that a section of the opposition was planning activities in the country.

“We have received reliable information that 4GC members led by Dr. Kiiza Besigye are planning civil disobedience activities starting Sunday and that it will continue for the whole week,” Onyango said when contacted on phone.

He said that the activities being planned by the 4GC include, disrupting the ongoing voters’ registration/National Identity Card registration by attacking centers where this exercise is ongoing, Distributing placards indicating that the planned National Elections will not be democratic and so people should not allow them to take place and camping and carrying out demonstrations at some key government installations.

He added that, Besigye had appointed individuals to be in charge of mobilization within Kampala Metropolitan, and that they are closely monitoring these individuals.

Onyango said that while the Constitution grants the right to demonstrate peacefully and unarmed, this right comes with conditions and responsibilities. The overriding condition is that, any person exercising this right must do so without prejudicing the rights of others or public interest. Public interest includes national security.

“Any planned demonstration or procession is therefore, unlawful, and we shall not allow it to take place.” Onyango said.

He urged the general public not to be lured into participating in an illegal activity.