The Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth-Ochola has revealed that security agencies will not allow lawlessness and hooliganism under the guise of political activity.
The IGP remarked two weeks after sporadic protests which rose from the arrest and detaining of the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) presidential candidate Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert aka Bobi Wine. Security agencies engaged in running battles with the rioters and hence killing over 50 of them.
“The riots were not spontaneous but were planned and unraveled earlier than intended. Police are analyzing the evidence that points to these plans and to their execution.” He said
He urged presidential candidates to observe the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which include social distancing, hand washing, and wearing of masks, all peddled at stemming the undesired consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ochola said that the Infractions perpetrated through social media and other abuses orchestrated through irresponsible traditional media are unacceptable in a free and democratic society and will be dealt with according to the laws of the country.
He warned presidential candidates of making impromptu stop overs in trading centres, attracting and addressing public gatherings along busy highways from car rooftops, and other spontaneous public addresses are a violation of the Electoral Commission’s Guidelines and the COVID-19 Rules which provide for the conduct of the campaign meetings only in the approved venues and in accordance with the harmonized campaign program, which clearly indicates the dates, time and location of such meetings.
“Non-compliance with the law and the Guidelines issued for the campaign period necessitates the intervention of law enforcement agencies to safeguard public health and safety.” He said
