Police Warns NUP, Besigye’s Pressure Group Against Instigating Violence

Police has warned the newly Formed People’s Front for Transition (PFT), led by Dr. Kiiza Besigye and National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Robert Kyagulanyi, and other political actors against instigating violence.

In a statement, police spokesperson, CP Fred Enanga noted that the Joint Security Agencies have obtained credible intelligence about the plans from the groups.

“The Joint Security Agencies has obtained credible intelligence about plans by NUP, the newly formed Peoples Front for Transition, and other political actors, to hold riots and political demonstrations across the country, beginning, Monday, 8.11.2021,” he said.

Enanga noted that, according to their intelligence, NUP has mobilized its political leaders at various levels from Members of Parliament, councillors and other local actors of violence, to hold riots and political demonstrations, over the lawful remand of two opposition MPs, Segirinya Muhammad (Kawempe North) and HAllan Sewanyana, (Makindye West).

The two MPs are currently on remand battling charges of murder, attempted murder and terrorism in relation to the recent killings that left over 25 people dead in the Masaka sub region.

He adds that the other reasons they (NUP,NFT and others) are fronting rotate around the ongoing bail reforms.

“On the other hand, the Peoples Front For Transition, has through their leader, the Rtd. Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye, called for all forceful means to take over a legitimate government,” Enanga said.

During the launch of PFT in October, Besigye and his allies said the new political pressure group was one of the opposition avenues through which they intend to oust President Museveni out of power.

Enanga said that politically motivated violence is dangerous, and as witnessed during the November, 2020, violent riots and political demonstrations, can lead to loss of lives and massive destruction of property.

“It is therefore, unfortunate that selected politicians from the opposition have reached a conclusion, that incitement to violence and related acts of looting, destruction and vandalism, is the only ticket to political change and relevance in Uganda,” he said.

Enanga explained that the violent acts are however, not real or legitimate causes for the politicians to pursue violent agendas.

He added that as the Joint Security Agencies, they took hard lessons from the November, 2020, riots and political demonstrations, and the collateral damage suffered.

“This time we are going to respond swiftly and target the perpetrators, professional instigators of violence, ring leaders, participants and those who may be funding such illegitimate acts of violence,” he said.

The police mouth piece further revealed that 4 suspects have been arrested from the NUP cell in Kasese with plans of incitement to violence and related subversive activities.

He identified the suspects as Bryans Basisa,37 a male, and resident of Kamaiba ward, Kasese district, Isaac Mumbere, 31, of Nyangi village, Geoffrey Bwambale, 29 , a nurse of Nyagoda 1 village and Atanazio Isande, a 27-year-old Laboratory technician of Ibanda I cell.

Enanga noted that these are under custody at Kasese Police headquarters.

“The operations to crack down all criminal elements involved in the planning and preparation for the violent riots and political demonstrations, are still ongoing,” Enanga said.

He noted that as police, they are not targeting free speech rights but rather focused on a calculated and loosely coordinated campaign of instigating violence and further escalate it into a civil uprising.