In a parliamentary session on October 17th, State Minister for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi, stated that the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) One Million March was planned with the intention of inciting civil disobedience. He defended the government’s actions in preventing the march, citing concerns about potential lawlessness.
Gen. Muhoozi explained, “The One Million March was intended to incite civil disobedience. In order to prevent the potential lawlessness that could ensue, the police, along with other security forces, proactively deployed to prevent the mobilization for the illegal procession and anticipated associated mischief.”
He also emphasized that opposition leader Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, is free to travel in and out of the country as long as his actions do not disrupt public order or breach the law. Gen. Muhoozi stated, “Anybody’s travel shouldn’t be a matter of public concern, unless, of course, it is done in ways that are likely to result in breaches of the laws as well as threats to public order and safety.”
Furthermore, Gen. Muhoozi noted that President Museveni’s return to the country from foreign trips does not cause chaos, and he suggested that Bobi Wine should take a similar approach.
Bobi Wine was arrested at the airport on October 5th upon his return from overseas mobilization tours. He was escorted to his home in Magere by the police to prevent his supporters from staging a one-million-march to welcome him back into the country.
Gen. David Muhoozi defended the police’s actions in arresting NUP leaders and preventing the party’s Independence Day prayers, asserting that NUP had planned an illegal procession and intended to announce their next course of action under the guise of prayer. He stated, “They intended to make a disruptive illegal procession from there to depict the national celebrations (Independence) in Kitgum as a sham. They also intended to announce their next course of action.”
This defense by Gen. Muhoozi came in response to protests by opposition MPs who demanded an explanation from the government regarding the arrests of NUP leaders and their supporters.
