Joint Security Agencies have warned individuals and groups from within the country and abroad allegedly promoting hate, panic and fear among Ugandans and visitors.
According to CP Fred Enanga, Police Spokesperson, this is being done through videos, audio and text “messages of malicious propaganda”.
He said the messages were instructing all members of the public to stay in their homes for three days (from the 25th to the 27th of July, 2022) as part of their alleged campaign against inflation in the country.
“The authors of the recordings, in an aggressive tone, further issue threats of attack to persons who are against their stay-at-home orders,” said Enanga.
“After the three days, they claim their alleged protests will transition into open street demonstrations and mass uprisings to purposely cause a change in government. These are illegitimate and unconstitutional means that we do strongly condemn.”
According to Enanga, similar scare tactics were used by the same individuals and political groups in February 2021 in the aftermath of the General Elections.
“However, their ill-intentioned plans were rejected by the public after realizing that the authors and organizers were rallying support for street violence and civil uprisings, for their selfish political advantages.”
He said this time, they are using the surge in commodity and fuel prices to call for violence.
“Many countries, including the Most Developed Countries, are grappling with inflation as well, as they strive to return to normalcy. We, therefore, urge all Ugandans and visitors in the country not to get swayed by the fear tactics, mongering and inflammatory rhetoric by the selected individuals, political groups and sponsored bloggers.”
He added: “They should instead look for better ways of expressing their dissatisfaction about the economy, without fronting violence. Right now, many citizens have families to feed, have to go to work, pay taxes, children are in schools and they all deserve the right to go about their activities, without fear or intimidation.”
Enanga reassured all Ugandans and visitors that security forces remain steadfast and committed to protecting the lives and properties of each and every one.
“Our task teams are ready to prevent, deter, stop and prosecute all perpetrators behind these scare tactics, aimed at causing violence and civil uprisings.”