The United States Embassy has joined the long queue of concerned individuals and institutions to ask the Kampala regime why it continues to block radio stations and musical shows organized by opposition politicians.
In a statement posted on its Website, the Embassy says it is equally concerned like indigenous Ugandans why their government continues to do what is doing.
“Today we join the many Ugandans asking why their government has recently blocked musical concerts and radio talk shows, disrupted peaceful demonstrations and rallies, and deployed heavy-handed security forces against peaceful citizens. Uganda’s constitution guarantees freedom of assembly and expression. We echo the Ugandan people in calling on the government to respect these rights.
Strong leaders and states do not stifle speech – they allow their citizens to participate fully and without fear in a vibrant multi-party democracy.”
The state through Uganda Police Force continues to harass former Forum for Democratic Change party president who is also a four time contender Dr. Kizza Besigye from appearing on a number of radios stations in the country with the latest being last week where police used force to break in into the radio station in Mubende.
Former presidential candidate, was arrested after police broke into 106 Mubende FM Radio studios as he argued about the current political tensions and impunity in Uganda police force.
This happened barely a week after Jinja Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Erick Joseph Sakwa ordered for the switching off of 88.6 Kiira FM that was hosting Dr. Besigye, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president Patrick Amuriat and other party members.
The statement comes just after a day when the Kyadondo East legislator Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was arrested on Easter Monday after police foiled his musical show at his One Love beach in Busabala.
Police and other security agencies have since placed him under house siege in his Magere home. Opposition politicians accuse police of Public Order Management Act selectively to harass the opposition.
