Developing Story: Besigye, Ingrid Under Siege
SOURCE: THE RED PEPPER, 5 APRIL 2012
Police today morning sealed off Col. Kizza Besigye’s house and the FDC iron lady Ingrid Turinawe at Kasangati and Gayaza respectively.
A4C are scheduled to hold a rally at Kololo independence grounds after the Attorney General Peter Nyombi declared their activity illegal and banned them.
Assistant IGP Felix Kaweesi yesterday delivered the bad news to members of A4C at Kololo police station where they had gathered to hammer out a programme for the rally, themed “exposing police brutality”.
The activists vowed to defy the AG’s directive and go ahead hold the rally as planned.
Though there was heavy police deployment, the rally, according to deputy police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba said the rally will take place provided they stick to set guidelines. The rally is set to take place at midday.
Earlier, Kasangati DPC Tumwesigye said they were under instruction to put Besigye and Ingrid under preventive arrest.
“We are working on orders and ‘it’s our mandate to keep peace. The rallies were banned”, the DPC told journalists at Ingrid’s home.
Ingrid however said they must have the rally as planned. “We will have the rally I urge supporters to come to Kololo because it’s lawful and we are exercising our rights”, she said.
Tight Security
Meanwhile security around Kololo independence grounds has been beefed up. All roads leading to the venue have police teargas trucks parked in the middle. Only pedestrians are allowed to access the venue, and everyone is being subjected to a security check.
Below is the full police statement on banning A4C
UNLAWFUL SOCIETIES ORDER
“Under section 56(2)(c) of the Penal Code Act, Cap.120, Attorney General Hon. Peter Nyombi today (Wednesday the 4th of April 2012) issued a Declaration Of Unlawful Societies Order in respect of Activists for Change (A4C). This statutory order was exercised citing A4C as a society dangerous to peace and order in Uganda.
As the IGP it now befalls on me and the police force to enforce this statutory implement on behalf of the government.
UNLAWFUL SOCIETIES ORDER
“Under section 56(2)(c) of the Penal Code Act, Cap.120, Attorney General Hon. Peter Nyombi today (Wednesday the 4th of April 2012) issued a Declaration Of Unlawful Societies Order in respect of Activists for Change (A4C).
This statutory order was exercised citing A4C as a society dangerous to peace and order in Uganda. As the IGP it now befalls on me and the police force to enforce this statutory implement on behalf of the government.
The police have an obligation to allow groups to exercise their rights and hold lawful rallies as is their constitutional right to do so. However in the past, many rallies organised by groupings and bodies have turned violent when infiltrated by A4C.
The democratic purpose of such rallies has of late been overshadowed by the apparent efforts of the A4C society to use such events to incite civil disobedience and disorder.
A4C have openly called for the overthrowing of Government, openly called on civilians to take arms and turn them against police and government. A4C have used stones and other weapons at these rallies leading to mass injury amongst civilians, journalists and police alike, and most recently loss of life.
The police welcome and will work with opposition parties and other groups that wish to demonstrate as is their constitutional right.
The Attorney General holds a responsibility to redress these unlawful actions in the interest of civil society and under section 56 of the Penal Code is well within his remit to declare the A4C grouping unlawful.
To ignore this violence is simply unacceptable and it would be negligent for the government and for the police to allow this to continue. Let me reiterate that every Ugandan has the right to freedom of lawful assembly and freedom of speech in accordance with the constitution.
It is our responsibility to safeguard the democratic right of all citizens to exercise this right. Responsibility also befalls the media in relation to the reporting of these events. It should not be taken for granted that all rallies are organised by A4C, they simply are not.
Let me again take this opportunity to restate the commitment of police to serve and protect all Ugandans and their constitutional rights”.
IGP LT. Gen Kale Kayihura
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