Kayihura sued for disrupting FDC rallies

Nov 16, 2017

The petitioner contends that the actions of barring, disrupting, interfering and blocking consultative rallies and meetings by the FDC presidential aspirants violates provisions of the Constitution and other enabling laws.

Police chief Kale Kayihura

Buhweju MP Francis Mwijukye has dragged government and the Inspector General of Police, Kale Kayihura to court for allegedly interfering with Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential rallies.

The legislator contends that the actions of barring, disrupting, interfering and blocking consultative rallies and meetings by the FDC presidential aspirants violates provisions of the Constitution and other enabling laws.

"Kayihura's directives, barring FDC presidential aspirants from conducting public meetings and /or rallies does not have force of law and is null and void," Mwijukye contends.

He dragged Kayihura together with the Attorney General (AG), who is the main legal advisor of government to the Civil Division of the High Court through Sewankambo and Company Advocates on Wednesday.

Mwijukye wants Kayihura to be held personally liable for the resultant violence, loss, damage and injury suffered by members of the public in various parts of the country as a result of the enforcement of the impugned directives.

 MP Francis Mwijukye (right) after filing petition

Mwijukye also wants court to issue an injunction restraining the duo from making any similar communication/directive or committing any acts which contravenes the Constitution, the Public Order Management Act, and the Political Parties and Organisation Act. He also seeks costs of the case.

In his affidavit, Mwijukye says FDC is in the process of conducting campaigns for the election of its party president for the next five years.

Court documents indicate that on August 11, 2017, the FDC deputy secretary general notified the IGP of the party presidential elections and the planned activities.

Kayihura, according to Mwijukye, in a letter dated August 23, 2017 addressed to FDC secretary general, promised to provide the necessary security and cooperation to enhance smooth and peaceful campaigns but in vain.

"Despite the formal notification, police have been blocking public meetings and rallies thereby undermining the process which has led to loss of lives, destruction of property, arrests and detentions all over the country," he submitted.

According to Mwijukye, when candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat commenced his campaigns, police swung into action and stopped his public rallies and consultative meetings in the districts of Rukungiri, Lira, Kampala and Gulu.

"At the moment candidate Amuriat's campaign programs and activities have been paralyzed by the acts of police," he stated .

Speaking to New Vision, shortly after filing his case, Mwijukye said security should not be carried out in partisan manner.

"I am going to serve Kayihura and the AG with a copy of our complaint and we return to court to get a date for hearing the case," he said.

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