Bobi Wine arrest: Police says he failed to meet some of the POMA provisions
Following Monday arrest of Bobi Wine as he showed up to launch his presidential consultative meetings in his home constituency, Kyadondo East at Our Lady of Good Counsel Secondary School Gayaza, Police have come up with a statement backing their actions against Bobi Wine.
Bobi Wine original name Robert Kyagulanyi is the Kyadondo East legislator and the leader of People Power Pressure Group in Uganda.
His arranged consultative meetings are particularly meant to create awareness and inform the electorate about his manifesto ahead of 2021 general elections.
In the statement released by the Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga indicated that the venue at Our Lady of Good Counsel Secondary School was too small to accommodate over 2,000 people Bobi Wine had invited.
Enanga adds that the venue was open to being used for consultation and according to the law that governs such meetings a closed-door place like a hotel is recommended.
Also, Enanga said that despite obtaining clearance from the Electoral Commission (EC), Bobi Wine failed to meet certain procedures like;
“To notify the relevant local councils and the Police of the area.”
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“We are aware that the roadmap for the first phase of consultations, by Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, an Aspiring Presidential Candidate for the 2021 Presidential Elections, were supposed to commence today, 06/01/2019, from Wakiso District and get extended to the districts of Gulu, Lir
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“During December 2019, the Electoral Commission described consultations as an exchange of views in an attempt to reach a decision. The identified reviews ought to facilitate the exchange of views between the aspirant and those being consulted,” Enanga added.
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Continuing, he said that according to EC’s description of consultative meetings, Bobi Wine is not supposed to do campaigns and giving out written materials.
“And had to be distinguished from campaigns by discouraging the distribution of materials, campaigns, holding rallies and meeting; and canvassing or soliciting for voters envisaged under Section 21 and 24 of the Presidential Elections Act, 2005.”
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Although Bobi Wine claimed to have met all the requirements for his consultative meetings, he failed to meet some of the provisions of POMA for instance; the conduct of public meetings and assemblies.
“The request should indicate the date and time of the public meeting; details of the organisers, location and consent of the venue owner, the number of persons expected, purpose and any other basic information justified to ensure the smooth conduct of the public meeting,” Enanga
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“The organisers also have a duty to adhere to the required criteria for holding public meetings, have a traffic assembly plan, provide sufficient stewards proportionate to the number of participants in the public meeting with clearly identified name tags; coordinate and corporate
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And Police claims that Bobi Wine did not present the traffic or assembly plan, public safety before and after the public meeting.
“The organisers did not avail the traffic or assembly plan, did not avail public safety before, during and after the meeting, there was adequate provision of emergency response capabilities and there was no joint coordination with Police to facilitate access control and maintain
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Enanga adds that Bobi Wine’s illegal assembly was intentional because he’s a law disobeying person.
“Hon Robert Kyagulanyi continues to show blatant disregard for the law. As of today, 6th, January 2020, he defied the procedures in the POMA and went on to hold an illegal assembly and procession. After the attempt to force his way to the open venue,” Enanga said.
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He adds that;
“He was cautioned in vain and later arrested together with Hon. Latiff Ssebagala and Hon. Asuman Basalirwa and 13 other Boda Boda riders who were engaging in criminal behaviours.”
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He also said that Police has okayed Bobi Wine’s next meeting that’s to happen on Wednesday 8th, January 2020 at Grand Pacific Hotel in Lira.
However, Enanga cautions that political consultations scheduled to happen in homes are not accepted.
Further, Enanga adds that other Opposition Political Parties like Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) have been okayed, because they complied with the Public Order Management Act.
Bobi Wine was arrested along with other People Power supporters that include; Latif Ssebagala (Kawempe North), Asuman Basalirwa, Bugiri Municipality legislator and 13 people including boda boda riders and detained temporarily at Kasangati Police post.
But later on, Bobi Wine was transferred to Nagalama Police Station in Mukono District. His arrest came after Police blocked his supporters from accessing the venue, fired teargas, rubber bullets, water cannons to disorganise his first consultative meetings at his home constituency.
