The police have issued a directive suspending the ongoing mobilization tours led by National Unity Platform (NUP) President, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Maj Gen Geoffrey Katsigazi Tumusiime, released a statement citing repeated disregard for police guidelines by Bobi Wine and his NUP supporters as the reason for the suspension.
“While we completely support the right of individuals, groups, and other citizens to peacefully gather or assemble and express their views on matters of public policy, we have observed that, in all areas where NUP mobilization activities have taken place, there have been continuous violations of the guidelines,” Katsigazi stated.
The deputy IGP further pointed out that the mobilization tours had resulted in property damage and injuries to individuals in various parts of the country where they had been conducted.
“Wherever these meetings have taken place, there has been public disorder, unnecessary traffic congestion, economic losses, deliberate destruction of property – as exemplified in Mbarara City where rowdy supporters vandalized a Toyota Hiace (registration no. UBD 251J) – and traffic accidents, including a fatal incident in Hoima City on September 11, 2023, which resulted in the death of Mugisa Norman and serious injuries to 10 others during the NUP convoy,” the statement explained.
The deputy IGP highlighted an incident in Luweero during the mobilization activities, where Kyagulanyi was accused of using one of the rallies to incite violence, promote sectarianism, call for the illegitimate removal of an elected government, and issue defamatory statements against President Museveni.
“In light of these blatant violations of the guidelines, the activities of the NUP are hereby suspended with immediate effect. This announcement follows our prior communication to the NUP leadership, in which we halted their planned mobilization activities and office openings until they are prepared to comply with the guidelines and the rule of law,” he emphasized.
He concluded by sending a strong message that the security forces would not tolerate its villages, towns, urban centers, and cities being disrupted and set ablaze before taking action to protect citizens and property.
Earlier in the week, Bobi Wine had accused security forces of using bomb threats to hinder their mobilization tours.