Police have cautioned leaders of the National Unity Platform (NUP) who have embarked on nationwide mobilization tours to harmonize their events with the security territorial commanders.
Last week, NUP announced that it will be carrying out nationwide mobilization campaigns, launching party offices, mobilization rallies, and meetings in various districts.
The party today held its events in Mbarara city unabated.
However, according to the Police, the political party laws mandate them to carry out their activities in a regulated manner.
According to Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson, the police leadership has tasked all its territorial commanders in the 12 regions of Rwizi (Mbarara), Rwenzori West (Fort Portal), Rwenzori East (Kasese), Kigezi (Kabale), Busoga East (Iganga), Bukedi South (Tororo), Elgon (Mbale), East Kyoga (Soroti), North Kyoga (Lira), Aswa West (Gulu), Savannah (Luwero), and West Nile (Arua) to liaise with the organizers from NUP and ensure smooth conduct of the planned activities.
“Although Political Party activities at respective party offices or premises are lawful activities, all political parties are still obligated to disclose the specific locations, of their mobilisation activities, outside their party offices for safety and security reasons. Please take note that the police have the mandate to regulate public meetings under the provisions of Section 32(1) of the Police Act. Therefore, proof of permission granted by the respective owners of the venues to be used outside the NUP facilities is very important; and restricted to Town Halls and other appropriately enclosed areas,” Enanga told journalists on Monday 28.
He called on the organisers to adhere to the rightful procedure for holding public meetings like having a traffic assembly plan in place and a sufficient number of stewards, etc.
Rallies, processions, demonstrations, acts of incitement to violence, or other activities that may lead to incidences likely to cause a breach of peace or insecurity are prohibited.
“It is, therefore, important to liaise with the respective territorial commanders in advance, for proper security planning,” he said.
He warned that if the organizers fail to fully comply with certain public order requirements outside their party offices or premises, the joint security task teams will respond in an appropriate and lawful manner.
