As you all aware, the National Unity Platform, will be conducting nationwide mobilisation tours, which include the launching of party offices, mobilisation rallies and meetings in various districts. Under the political party laws, they are mandated to carry out their activities in a regulated manner. As a result, the UPF leadership has tasked all its territorial commanders in the 12 regions of Rwizi (Mbarara), Rwenzori West (Fortportal), Rwenzori East (Kasese), Kigezi (Kabale), Busoga East (Iganga), Bukedi South (Tororo), Elgon (Mbale), East Kyoga (Soroti), North Kyoga (Lira), Aswa West (Gulu), Savannah (Luwero), and West Nile (Arua) to liaise with the organisers from the National Unity Platform and ensure a smooth conduct of the planned activities.
Although Political Party activities at respective party offices or premises are lawful activities, all political parties are still obligated to disclose the specific locations, of their mobilisation activities, outside their party offices for safety and security reasons. Please take note that the police has the mandate to regulate public meetings under the provisions of Section 32(1) of the Police Act. Therefore, proof of permission granted by the respective owners of the venues to be used outside the NUP facilities is very important; and restricted to Town Halls and other appropriately enclosed areas.
We wish to remind the organisers to adhere to the rightful procedure for holding public meetings like having a traffic assembly plan in place and a sufficient number of stewards, etc. Rallies, processions, demonstrations, acts of incitement to violence or other activity that may lead to incidences likely to cause breach of peace or several insecurity are prohibited. It is therefore, important to liaise with the respective territorial commanders in advance, for proper security planning.
In the event that the organisers fail to fully comply with certain public order requirements outside their party offices or premises, our Joint security task teams, will respond in an appropriate and lawful manner.
SCP Enanga Fred
Police Spokesperson
28th August 2023
