Heads of security agencies in Uganda have warned that acts of lawlessness and hooliganism under the guise of political activity, will not be tolerated.
Addressing the media on Friday, the heads of security warned that violations perpetrated through social media and other abuses orchestrated through irresponsible traditional media are unacceptable and perpetrators will be dealt with according to the law.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Okoth Ochola, flanked by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. David Muhoozi, Commissioner General of Prisons Johnson Byabashaija and Ambassador Joseph Ocwet the Director-General of External Security Organisation said that the lawlessness and hooliganism as witnessed on a number of occasions in Uganda, shall not be accepted and shall be firmly and decisively dealt with.
The warning from security agencies comes at the backdrop of political violence in the country between opposition politicians and security agents as the country heads into general elections next month. The political campaigns have majorly turned confrontational as security moves to control crowds amidst the COVID-19 threat.
Police highlighted challenges in the enforcement of the EC Guidelines and COVID Rules including deliberate and consistent non-compliance and lack of adherence to EC guidelines and the law by some Politicians, deliberate acts of provocation, obstruction and attacks on law enforcement officers, deliberate departure from routes and venues that have been agreed upon with the candidate’s district’s agents, rampant hooliganism and riotous behavior.
The most recent confrontation resulted into death of at-least 54 Ugandans when supporters of National Unity Platform Robert Kyagulanyi rioted following his arrest at a campaign rally in Luuka District. Security agencies insist that the riots were not spontaneous but planned.
Ochola noted that police had commenced investigations into the deaths and encouraged the members of the public to cooperate fully. He noted tha police is also aware of some efforts that are in play to interfere with the investigations and warned all those involved in this interference to stop forthwith or face the full face of the law.
The IGP noted that the country was holding Presidential/Parliamentary elections in the middle of a global COVID-19 pandemic with rising levels of infections and deaths.
“We call upon all stakeholders to play their part in order to stem the undesired consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic” Ochola said.
