Lumumba orders security agencies to start arresting ministers, NRM politicians flouting Covid19 guidelines

Ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) secretary general Justine Kasule Lumumba has directed security agencies to arrest all ministers and party politicians holding campaign rallies.

According to Lumumba, police and other security organs should arrest all those who flout Covid19 guidelines on public rallies, social distance, and face mask wearing.

“No body is above the law. I have called upon the enforcement officers to arrest any body who contravenes the SOPs whether Ministers,” Lumumba said during the NRM’s inaugural weekly media briefing.

“Please enforcement officers, fear no body, we don’t want to risk people’s lives.”

Seven Ugandans have succumbed to Covid19. Results from tests done on August 08 confirmed 16 new cases, bringing the total cumulative infection toll to 1,283 — of these,  1,115 have recovered.

Read: Uganda registers seventh Covid19 death as Wakiso woman succumbs

She also revealed that the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC), convened on August 07, the approved regulations for the extraordinary meeting of the third National Conference.

According to Lumumba, CEC discussed concerns raised by Ugandans after some ministers and party politicians held rallies contrary to Covid19 prevention guidelines.

In March 2020, President Museveni banned political rallies, social and religious gatherings as a way of preventing the spread of Covid19.

But videos have shown ministers Dr Jane Ruth Aceng (health), Prof Ephraim Kamuntu (justice and constitutional affairs) and Evelyn Anite (state for investment and privatization) holding rallies and processions.

This is not the second time Lumumba has ordered security agencies to arrest NRM-leaning politicians for holding rallies.

Opposition politicians have severally complained of discrimination in the enforcement of Covid19 prevention measures.

For example, on the day Aceng held her procession in Lira, police arrested FDC spokesperson Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda for holding a meeting in Kira Municipality.

Read: Museveni defends Aceng on Lira incident; reveals Langi petitioned him to allow her contest despite his advice

It is such scenarios that compelled CEC to issue orders to security agencies and Ministry of Health (MoH) to enforce the observance of rules on political meetings.

“CEC directed that the Ministry of Health SOPs should seriously be observed to throughout the conduct of all political and electoral activities of the NRM,” revealed Lumumba at the NRM’s inaugural weekly media briefing.

“This shall be done in order to ensure that we protect the population from the risk of infection of the Covid19 virus.”

Read: Museveni orders all political parties’ staff, flag bearers, independents to take Covid19 tests