The nationwide mobilisation tours of Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine, the leader of opposition political party, National Unity Platform (NUP), have been indefinitely suspended with immediate effect, Police say.
Bobi wine started the first phase of his tours, which he also used to open party offices on August 28 in Mbarara. He has since visited Fortportal, Kasese, Kabale, Mayuge, Busia, Luweero, Hoima, and Arua.
In all the tours, Bobi Wine, always in the presence of his party members of Parliament and other leaders, attracted huge crowds and held processions in some parts before addressing the congregation.
Not at any single point did police or other security agencies interfered as it has previously been the case for him and some other opposition politicians.
The non interference by security attracted a lot of praises to their side from different members of the public who said they were acting professionally and in support of democracy.
However, in a turn of events, on Wednesday, police, through Maj Gen Katsigazi Tumusiime, the Assistant Inspector General of Uganda Police (AIGP), said they were suspending the tours because Bobi Wine has violated all the guidelines put in place to regulate such meetings.
“As you are all aware, the Police under its mandate to regulate public meetings under section 32(1), of the Police Act, granted permission to the National Unity Platform, to conduct nationwide mobilization activities and official opening of party offices. Additional guidelines on the proper conduct of the activities, were also given, which included proof of permission from owners of venues, gatherings in town halls or appropriately enclosed areas, prohibition of processions, demonstrations, unregulated rallies, acts of incitement to violence, or other public order management violations,” Tumusiime said in a statement on Wednesday.
“While we completely support the right of individuals, groups and other citizens to peacefully gather or assemble, and make their views on matters of public policy, we have noticed that, in all areas where the NUP mobilization activities have been carried out, there have been total breaches to the guidelines, thus causing public disorder, unnecessary traffic jams, loss of business, malicious damage to property.”
“For instance, in Mbarara City. their rowdy supporters vandalized a Toyota Hiace, under reg. no. UBD 251J,and traffic accidents, including a fatal one in Hoima City, on the 11.09.2023, where a one, Mugisa Norman died and 10 others got serious injuries, during the NUP convoy,” Tumusiime added.
Tumusiime also cited an example of the gathering, in Kasana, Luweero District, where the mobilization activity, was allegedly used to incite violence, promote sectarianism, make illegitimate calls for the removal of an elected government, and issuance of defamatory statements against the person of the President of Uganda.
“In the view of the above blatant breaches of the guidelines, the activities of the NUP are immediately suspended. This announcement is a follow-up, to our communication of the 12.09.2023, 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,” Tumusiime said.
“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,” he added.
He has also vowed 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,” noted Tumusiime.
Bobi Wine remarks in Luweero.
According to a video that has since gone viral, while addressing his supporters at Kasana playgrounds in Luweero Town Council on Friday, Bobi Wine called upon the Baganda to rise up against President Museveni, whom he accused of building his “dynasty” on their ancestors’ land.
“Fellow Baganda, who bewitched you? Museveni thinks he is going to build his dynasty on the land of our ancestors in Buganda. Over my dead body, that will not happen,” he charged.
He said when President Museveni is not spending taxpayers money on his birthday celebrations, then he is spending it on the birthday celebrations of his son whom he described as a “kigwagwa, loosely translated as a lumpen.