Security chiefs: Investigations into ‘planned Bobi Wine protests’ sabotaged

Police chief IGP Martins Okoth Ochola and chief of defence forces (CDF) Gen David Muhoozi have reiterated security agencies’ earlier statements that November 18 and 19 ‘Free Bobi Wine’ protests were planned, further revealing there was interference into the investigations.

The riots, which broke out after the arrest of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine in Luuka District, and Patrick Oboi Amuriat (POA) of main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), in the northern city of Gulu, left 54 people dead.

Records by security agencies indicate 32 of the dead were protesters.

In a December 11 evening security update, Gen Muhoozi and IGP Ochola argued that the protests and the resulting deaths could have been avoided if Bobi Wine had followed guidelines issued by both the Electoral Commission (EC) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) on prevention of the spread of Covid19.

“As a result of his consistent and blatant breach of the EC Guidelines and COVID-19 Rules, one of the candidates, notably Mr. Kyagulanyi, was arrested in Luuka district on the 18th November, 2020 together with others,” said Ochola on behalf of the joint security taskforce.

“Kyagulanyi’s supporters then rioted committing several criminal acts of looting, staging illegal roadblocks, robbing of motorists and pedestrians, sectarianism and hate speech, undressing women, damaging private and Government vehicles, burning government buildings including Wobulenzi Magistrates court and Katwe-Katale Police post, burning tyres, etc.”

The security chiefs further stuck to their earlier claim that the protests were planned.

“These riots were not spontaneous but were planned and unraveled earlier than intended. Police is analyzing the evidence that points to these plans and to their execution,” emphasized Ochola.

“Unfortunately, some innocent lives were lost in the riots but also some of the rioters lost their lives during their violent charge against the security forces.”

He also revealed that there was sabotage in the investigations into the riots.

“Investigations have been sanctioned and are ongoing regarding the registered deaths arising out of these riots which will inform the appropriate course of action. We call upon the public to fully cooperate with these investigations,” he noted.

“The Police is also aware of some efforts that are in play to interfere with the investigations. We would like to warn all those involved in this interference that they shall face the full face of the law if they do not stop forthwith.”