Uganda Police Force (UPF) has given a greenlight to Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine and his main opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) to resume their nationwide consultative rallies following many weeks of suspension of the same.
The decision to allow NUP to resume its consultative meetings was reached in a follow-up meeting between NUP officials and the UPF administration at police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
This is not the first meeting police was holding with NUP officials over the conduct of their consultative meetings and rallies. On May 27, 2024, the two parties held a meeting over the same, only for the law and order agency to suspend the engagements on May 31, 2024. (See Details Here).
The suspension was prompted by a fatal accident at St Lawrence Maya, along the Kampala-Masaka Highway as Bobi Wine’ NUP procession headed towards Masaka for a rally that would paralyse the city and transport for hours.
In the accident, at least three people lost their lives while two others sustained “serious” injuries. According to deputy police spokesperson ACP Claire Nabakka, the July 11 meeting reviewed the CCTV footage of the May 31, 2024 NUP procession from Kampala to Masaka.
Nabakka said the two parties agreed that there was overloading of vehicles and inconsiderate use of vehicles on the road (carrying passengers on vehicle rooftops); and that over speeding and reckless driving posed a danger not only to the passengers but also to other road users.
They also noted that The motor vehicle, registration number UBH 691Q Toyota Hiace, involved in the fatal accident, was carrying extra passengers on the rooftops and was part of a convoy of “rowdy” NUP supporters covering the single carriageway. This vehicle, Nabakka further reported after the meeting, collided with motorcycle riders of UFY 983T, UCG 381C, UFY 465Y, and UEJ 361D,” the parties further observed.
Police arrested Fred Lule , the driver of motor vehicle UBH 691Q, Lule appeared at Nsangi Court on four counts: reckless driving contrary to section 108(3), (7), (g) and (d) of the Traffic and Road Safety Act 1998 CAP 361; and causing death through reckless driving contrary to section 108 (1) (7) (d) of the Traffic and Road Safety Act 1998 CAP 361 as amended, resulting in the deaths of Victor Ssekindu, Ismail Ssezibwa, and Muzafaru Kasode.
The other charges were: using a motor vehicle on the road in a dangerous mechanical condition contrary to section 107 (1) (5) of the Traffic and Road Safety Act 1998 and failing to report an accident contrary to section 125 (1) (b)(8) of the Traffic and Road Safety Act 1998. Court remanded Lule to Mpigi Prisons.
“The drivers of the following motor vehicles were charged at Nsangi Police Station vide TSD03/03/06/2024 for several offenses, including dangerous driving c/s 108(7)(g) and 176 (1) (a) TRSA 1998 CAP 361,” reported Nabakka after the meeting.
“These drivers were declared wanted and are required to report to Nsangi Police Station as per the above-quoted reference. They include: UBF 701X Toyota Harrier, UBJ 398E Toyota Harrier, UAZ 435W Toyota Wish, UAW 701Q Toyota Hiace, UBL 516D Toyota Supercustom, UBE 195V Toyota Harrier, UBK 388K Toyota Noah, UBQ 839D Toyota Hilux, UAY 432Z Toyota Landcruiser, UBQ 080F Canter, UBJ 452B Toyota Premio, UAZ 316V Toyota Noah, UAJ 777T Toyota Prado, UDL 415V Toyota Hiace, UBE 423F Subaru Forester, UAV 289B Toyota Prado.”
Consequently, police allowed NUP to resume its consultative rallies but set tough conditions which Bobi Wine’s political party leaders agreed on. Police ordered that carrying people on motor vehicle rooftops must immediately stop; carrying excess passengers in vehicles should also stop; and that over speeding is an offense and must stop.
Police also made it clear to NUP officials that moving in a convoy of many motor vehicles and motorcycles from Kampala to upcountry locations is not allowed; and that harassing or provoking security personnel while on their lawful duties must stop.
“Regulating traffic is the mandate of the traffic police, and all road users should comply with traffic regulations. Persons not mandated to regulate traffic must stop,” Nabakka further noted. “The NUP leadership was urged to take responsibility and prevail over the conduct of their members; otherwise, they will be held responsible.”
Police has also made it clear to NUP that they will continue to do their work of directing the conduct of assemblies. It remains to be seen if NUP will obey the new conditions to avoid another suspension.
“Article 212 of the Constitution mandates the UPF, among other duties, to protect life and property. Also, section 32(1) (b) of the Police Act empowers the Police to direct the conduct of assemblies and processions on public roads or places of public resort,” noted Nabakka.
“We appeal to the public to observe law and order at all times as a measure towards ensuring the safety of persons and their property. We shall continue to engage not only with NUP leadership but also with other political parties and organizations.”
NUP has since released a revised program for its consultative meetings for next week. On Monday, July 15, 2024, Bobi Wine and his party officials will be in Bundibugyo before heading to Ishaka, Bushenyi on Tuesday, July 16; Rukungiri on Wednesday, July 17; Ntungamo on Thursday, July 18; and Isingiro on Friday, July 19, 2024.
Apart from the meeting with police on the resumption of countrywide consultative meetings, Bobi Wine’s NUP officials also met with police to discuss the content taught at the party’s leadership school based in Kamwokya, Kampala. NUP officials rejected police’s demand to have the content taught every week sent to the Kira Road DPC. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
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