Bugiri Municipality Member of Parliament, Asuman Basalirwa has vowed to continue with his election victory party in Bugiri Municipality tomorrow, despite being stopped by Police.
Basalirwa who in July polled 3,928 votes to defeat NRM’s Francis Oketcho and FDC’s Eunice Namentende, on December 26, wrote to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) notifying him about the planned party and seeking security as required by the Public Order Management Act.
In a letter, Basalirwa indicated that he was organizing his election party to be held Saturday December 29, at Hindocha Primary School Playgrounds to celebrate with his supporters.
On Thursday, Police responded in another letter, claiming that they will not be able to avail enough security for the event since it is to be held in an open place, yet most officers will be policing the end of year festivities.
“This serves to inform you that due to the heavy demands of policing the End of Year festivities, Police will not be able to provide adequate security for the event of such magnitude in an open ground and in such a location as you have proposed,” read the Police read in parts.
“You are therefore advised to get an enclosed venue like a Hall or a Hotel which would be easier to secure,” added Police in a letter.
Police further asked the legislator to put in strict consideration the relevant provisions of the Public Order Management Act of 2013 and the guidelines issued by Police on holding such functions.
But, when contacted by SoftPower News, Basalirwa revealed that he accepted to change the venue to Busoga University premises which according to him is a closed area, but Police through Bugiri District Police Commander, Jeff Buyungo, insist that the event shouldn’t take place.
“They said they wanted me to hold my Party in a closed place which I have adhered to, what else do they want?” asked a seemingly furious Basalirwa.
He said Buyungo told him that the event is blocked because Police suspects that Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine, who was very instrumental in campaigning for him, could grace the event.
“I asked him to tell me where they got information that Hon Kyagulanyi was going to attend but he couldn’t answer,” he said.
Asked on his next course of action, Basalirwa said that he is to continue with the party on Saturday because he has fulfilled all the requirements by the Police, saying he now sees no fundamental reason as to why the DPC is stopping him.
Our efforts to speak to Jeff Buyungo were futile, since his known contacts were out of reach.
This comes at a time when security has just blocked Bobi Wine’s boxing day concert at One Love Beach Busabala saying Police has not cleared the event, something Bobi Wine described political witch-hunt by authorities to frustrate his music profession.
