Opposition legislators have faulted Uganda Police Force for disrupting their meetings in the guise of enforcing the Public Order Management act. The legislators argue that despite notifying police about their indoor and outdoor events as required by the act, police have continued violating the rights of political activities, whose work entails mobilization through public gatherings.
In a press conference addressed jointly by opposition legislators, the MPs challenged the Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola and Uganda Human Rights Commission-UHRC to stop curtailing opposition activities. They argue that they had expected Ochola to bring sanity in the police force given the fact that he is a principled and traditional policeman. Francis Mwijukye, the Buhweju County MP, says they had expected Ochola and his Deputy Sabiiti Muzeyi to improve the handling of opposition members but the situation is worsening by day. He wants the Human Rights Committee of parliament to summon the IGP to explain the continued clampdown on the opposition.
Joseph Sewungu, the Kalungu West MP, says it is time for Parliament to evaluate the Public Order Management act. He says all opposition members are being blocked unfairly from mobilizing voters. He wants parliament to summon Ochola to explain his silence on the brutality targeting the opposition. Ronald Mugume Kaginda, Rukungiri Municipality MP, says it is unfair for police to block the opposition yet the ruling party is already organizing for the 2021 elections.
Fred Turyamuhweza, the Rujumbura county MP in Rukungiri district wants President, Yoweri Museveni to stop the impunity by the police and Resident District Commissioners. He says the president should be aware of what is happening since people like RDCs claim to be acting on his behalf. The MPs have tasked Police and Uganda Human Rights Commission to act on the brutal arrests by police.
They cite the brutal arrest of Ronald Muhinda, the aide of Kiiza Besigye, the former FDC president in Jinja district over the weekend. In 2013, President Museveni signed into law the Public Order management law, which provides for regulations for public meetings. However, the opposition has continuously accused police of selectively applying the law to their disadvantage. For comments, call or text us on 0752510225.
