Heavy Uganda Police Deployment as Electoral Commission meets aspiring Presidential Candidates
Police have been heavily deployed at the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters as aspiring Uganda Presidential candidates hold a consultation meeting with EC officials.
As early as 8 am on Thursday 9th January, police had already cordoned off the EC headquarters strictly checking all vehicles accessing the premises. Meanwhile, journalists were also denied access to the EC premises.
The purpose of the meeting according to the EC spokesperson, Mr Jotham Taremwa is focusing on consultations and campaigns and as a result, police deployment is inevitable.
Many 2021 Uganda Presidential Candidates are in attendance including Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine who already confirmed his desire to stand for the presidency in the upcoming elections.
In a space of a week, Bobi Wine has had three of his consultation meetings with his supporters blocked with the most recent one happening yesterday.
Bobi Wine meeting with his fans in Lira was called off by the authorities. While addressing journalists yesterday, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Milton Odongo implied that the meeting was not going to take place because hotel owners had not issued acceptance letters and details as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) had earlier requested.
According to Odongo, a clear programme and proof of consent for use a specific venue was supposed to be given by the legal proprietor of the premises at least three days before the actual event or meeting date.
However, Kyagulanyi via his Facebook page displayed documents of proof indicating that he had paid for hotel space in time and met all the required expectations by the police.
At Lira’s Pacific Grand Hotel where the meeting was scheduled to be, the whole area was cordoned with police and all the people power’ supporters and coordinators were directed to vacate immediately.
Earlier this week, he was also stopped from holding another consultation meeting in Gulu district.
On Monday, Bobi Wine was also arrested on his way to Gayaza’s Our Lady of Good Counsel pitch for what was meant to be his first meeting. This culminated in him being detained at Nagalama Police Station until late in the night when he was released.
Ever since Kyagulanyi joined politics, he has not been at per with the police and government in particular. He has been denied access to many events coupled with police denying him a chance to hold music shows.
Recently, Kyagulanyi came out in one interview and aired out his determination to see a change in governance despite strong restrictions from NRM towards him.
“We want the voice of the people to surpass the voice of the guns. We want to put an end to dictatorship and install civilian authority. We want to revive the education system and awaken the healthcare system,” Kyagulanyi stated in one interview.
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Meanwhile, Bobi Wine will be determined to see if at the end of his meeting with EC he will granted freedom and permission to meet and discuss with his supporters.
By John Dalton Kigozi
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