The police have suspended a countrywide tour by the President of National Unity Platform (NUP) Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine.
In a statement Wednesday, Deputy Inspector General of Police Tumusiime-Katsigazi said that in areas where Bobi Wine has been, there have been total breaches to the guidelines, thus causing public disorder, unnecessary traffic jams, loss of business, malicious damage to property.
“Acase in point is Mbarara City where Kyagulanyi’s rowdy supporters allegedly vandalized a Toyota Hiace, under registration number UBD 251J, and traffic accidents, including a fatal one in Hoima City on September 11, 2023, where one, Mugisa Norman, died and 10 others got serious injuries, during the NUP convoy.” Police quoted.
Furthermore, Katsigazi added: “In Kasana-Luweero District, the mobilization activity was used to incite violence, promote sectarianism, and make illegitimate calls for the removal of an elected government, and issuance of defamatory statements against the person of H.E. the President of the Republic of Uganda.”
“In view of the above blatant breaches of the guidelines, the activities of the NUP are immediately suspended,” Katsigazi said.
According to Katsigazi, the announcement is a follow-up to “our communication of September 12, 2023, to the NUP leadership, halting the planned mobilization activities and opening of offices until such a time that they are ready to comply with the guidelines and rule of law.”
“We are sending this strong message: that our country, Uganda, will not wait for its villages, towns, urban centers, and cities to burn before taking action to protect its citizens and property. We are going to put an end to the mob mentality, bullying, and intimidating tactics of NUP radicals against innocent civilians and law enforcers. We have very robust plans to uphold the rule of law in liaison with other stakeholders and will respond appropriately against all perpetrators of incitement to violence that can lead to civil unrest throughout the country. Uganda is one of the safest countries in the region and across the globe, and we plan for it to remain that way. This directive stands until such a time when the NUP is compliant and law-abiding.” part of the statement reads.