Five arrested as Police stops University students’ book launch

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1384434/-/aw4j82z/-/index.html

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 12 APRIL 2012

Police block Makerere University students from accessing the constitutional square on Wednesday where they wanted to hold their book-launch.

Five students from Makerere University were this Wednesday afternoon arrested after they attempted to use the constitutional square during the launch of their book Is It the Fundamental Change? The book compares and contrasts the promises President Museveni has made in his speeches and what the authors believe his government has achieved or failed to.
The authors, Ibrahim Bagaya and Doreen Nyanjura, who are former leaders in the Makerere University guild, were among the persons arrested who turned up for the book launch. Clad in blue overalls, white helmets and gum boots, the authors attempted to enter the grounds but were prevented by the Police. The authors claimed that they were trying to enter the Constitutional Square to clean it. “It is so dirty, you cannot deny us access to clean it because we are cleaning it today,” Mr Bagaya told the security personnel shortly before they were rounded up and driven away.
Despite several warnings from Police not to attempt to launch the book in a venue which was declared out of bounds for for all ceremonies that might interfere with work in the central business district. The organisers of the book launch however refused to change the venue of the book launch. “Yes, the five have been arrested because they were engaging in unlawful assembly and they are held at Central Police Station,” Kampala Metropolitan spokesperson, Idd Senkumbi confirmed.

Police block A4C Book launch

BESIGYE SUPPORTS DIALOGUE WITH RULING NRM PARTY.mp4

A4C Anniversary: Besigye To Lead Students’ March To Consitutional Square

http://redpepper.co.ug/welcome/?p=34714

SOURCE: THE RED PEPPER, 10 APRIL 2012

Bagaya Ibrahim (Book author)

Col. Kizza Beigye will on Wednesday lead a 2000-strong student’s march to the Constitutional Square to launch a controversial antI-Museveni book titled “IS IT THE FUNDERMENTAL CHANGE? Unveiling The Hidden Truth”.

The announcement was made on last Friday by the book authors Ibrahim Bagaya and Doreen Nyanjura while addressing addressing journalists at Makerere University Guest House.

“We are expecting to launch the book on 11th at City Square and Col. Besigye is the guest speaker. We have already contacted our fellow students in all Universities in Uganda, Gulu, Kyambogo, Mbarara, Nkumba and others. At least we want 200 students from each university, and we will march in a procession to city square,” Doreen said.

Asked why they chose 11th date to launch the book she said that, “It’s the day when A4C will be making one year so we shall be celebrating its anniversary as well because the book is dedicated to all activists especially Ingrid Turinawe, Sam Mugumya and Francis Mwijukye who have suffered at the hands of police and charged with treason”.

Police boss warns A4C over demonstrations

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1383286/-/aw59ynz/-/index.html

SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 10 APRIL 2012

The Inspector General of Police, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, has vowed to block planned activities by Activists for Change (A4C) that he said are to be held soon. In a press statement issued by the Uganda Media Centre on Sunday, Gen. Kayihura said they learnt from media statements that the A4C pressure group plan to continue with the protests despite an order by the Attorney General, Mr Peter Nyombi, deterring them.

Nyombi’s strike“We wish to state, in no uncertain terms, that such planned demonstrations and assemblies, if held, will be unlawful and police will not allow them. It is the duty of the police to enforce law. I strongly urge the organisers of these events to reconsider and avoid falling foul of the law,” Gen. Kayihura said.

Last week, Mr Nyombi invoked Section 56(2) of the Penal Code Act and declared A4C an unlawful society. The declaration has punishments for members of unlawful society that range from two years imprisonment to seven years on conviction.

But Mr Mathias Mpuuga (Masaka Municipality, Independent) told Daily Monitor yesterday that they have not planned any events and have issued no media statements. “We haven’t issued statements or planned any events. Our work isn’t clandestine. The IGP must be a desperate man. He is trying to use A4C to justify his facilitation,” Mr Mpuuga said.

The MP added: “We shall announce the next programme so let him wait for the announcement before he asks for a budget”. Gen. Kayihura warned that even those who will attend the functions organised by the A4C will be violating the law.

Last week, several civil society organisations and human rights groups condemned Mr Nyombi’s declaration as a law that is stifling constitutional rights to assemble. But Gen. Kayihura said: “Let me assure the public that the Uganda Police Force will continue to protect and serve all in the lawful exercise of their constitutional rights and freedoms, conducted in a peaceful, and orderly manner, and as long as they do not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others or public interest (Article 43 of the Constitution)”.

The opposition group has held rallies in and around Kampala sensitising citizens on the regime’s failures and the need to change governance.

President attacks Opposition Politicians

President attacks Opposition Politicians