Police ban city centre rallies
Dec 07, 2006
PUBLIC rallies, demonstrations and processions are no longer allowed at the constitution Square. Police chief Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura issued a notice to that effect.
By Herbert Ssempogo
PUBLIC rallies, demonstrations and processions are no longer allowed at the constitution Square. Police chief Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura issued a notice to that effect.
“We continue to receive requests for demonstrations in the central business district of Kampala, particularly constitution Square,†Kayihura said.
“The place is narrow and highly congested. Moreover, in the past, nasty events accompanied those demonstrations. The city suffered acts of vandalism, looting, malicious damage of property and general disorder on account of such functions.
“As much as we are aware of the rights and freedom to assemble and demonstrate peacefully, we also have to protect the rights and freedom of others, including the business people. It is our duty, entrusted to us by article 212 of the constitution, to protect life and property,†Kayihura said.
He proposed other venues for rallies saying, “There are plenty of alternatives outside the business centre such as Kololo (airstrip), Namboole and Nakivubo stadia or the park next to Africana Hotel on Jinja Road.†The opposition, however, criticised the move.
“The police has no power to adjudicate on the rights of the civil society and business community. That role is reserved for the courts,†said Chris Opoka, a Uganda People’s Congress official.
“The police intervention is misplaced. Their role is to keep order, not to grant permission. They are politicising matters,†said Sarah Eperu, the deputy spokesperson for the Forum for Democratic Change.
PUBLIC rallies, demonstrations and processions are no longer allowed at the constitution Square. Police chief Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura issued a notice to that effect.
“We continue to receive requests for demonstrations in the central business district of Kampala, particularly constitution Square,†Kayihura said.
“The place is narrow and highly congested. Moreover, in the past, nasty events accompanied those demonstrations. The city suffered acts of vandalism, looting, malicious damage of property and general disorder on account of such functions.
“As much as we are aware of the rights and freedom to assemble and demonstrate peacefully, we also have to protect the rights and freedom of others, including the business people. It is our duty, entrusted to us by article 212 of the constitution, to protect life and property,†Kayihura said.
He proposed other venues for rallies saying, “There are plenty of alternatives outside the business centre such as Kololo (airstrip), Namboole and Nakivubo stadia or the park next to Africana Hotel on Jinja Road.†The opposition, however, criticised the move.
“The police has no power to adjudicate on the rights of the civil society and business community. That role is reserved for the courts,†said Chris Opoka, a Uganda People’s Congress official.
“The police intervention is misplaced. Their role is to keep order, not to grant permission. They are politicising matters,†said Sarah Eperu, the deputy spokesperson for the Forum for Democratic Change.