In a statement released on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, the police spokesperson, Mr. Fred Enanga, addressed the recent suspension of the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) mobilization activities. The police had accused NUP members of breaching agreed-upon guidelines. According to Mr. Enanga, the police received intelligence suggesting that NUP aimed to provoke security agencies into confrontations during their nationwide tours. This alleged strategy was believed to be an attempt to tarnish Uganda’s international image.
During Mr. Robert Kyagulanyi’s recent tours, the police opted for a non-confrontational approach. Mr. Enanga explained, “In the first phase of their tours, the police were calculative enough. We exercised restraint and avoided any confrontations with the NUP that could have attracted ugly scenes for publicity and negative propaganda against the police and the country.”
Mr. Enanga further elaborated that despite NUP’s claims of peaceful mobilization tours, credible intelligence suggested their determination to engage the police in confrontations. This could disrupt unregulated processions and pose risks to the public, motorists, pedestrians, bystanders, and participants. He noted that NUP had effectively deployed cameramen to capture any such incidents for publicity purposes.
The police also expressed anticipation of opposition protests in the coming days. Mr. Enanga outlined their multi-layered strategy for counter responses, reactions, and arrests, particularly targeting ringleaders involved in violence, impunity, and lawlessness.
“In the previous NUP demonstrations, several people lost their lives, and others were arrested and charged with various crimes,” Mr. Enanga added.
Responding to these allegations, the NUP secretary-general, Mr. Lewis Rubongoya, maintained that their party’s activities were peaceful and lawful. He clarified, “What police are saying, that we plan to demonstrate, is not true. We plan on conducting mobilization campaigns, not demonstrations.”
NUP has successfully conducted party mobilization campaigns in various districts, including Mbarara, Kabale, Luweero, Mayuge, Busia, Mbale, Arua, and Hoima.