Ugandan police have issued a ban on political rallies organized by opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, citing concerns related to public order breaches and alleged defamation against the president.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Tumusiime Katsigazi, made the announcement on Wednesday during a press conference disclosing that during recent rallies organized by the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, one person had tragically lost their life, and ten others had sustained serious injuries.
These incidents, according to the police boss, prompted the authorities to take immediate action.
Mr. Katsigazi emphasized the importance of maintaining public order and warned NUP supporters against what he termed “mob mentality” and any actions that could pose a threat to the safety of civilians and security personnel alike.
Also, the police have accused Mr. Kyagulanyi of promoting sectarianism during his rallies, which commenced on Monday. This accusation adds further weight to the decision to ban these political gatherings.
In response to the ban, Mr. Kyagulanyi has publicly declared his intention to proceed with the rallies and has urged his supporters to “wait for a signal.”
The only viable opposition leader since over decades views these rallies as a crucial avenue for building grassroots support in the run-up to the 2026 general elections.
The ban on Bobi Wine’s political rallies comes amid growing political tensions and heightened scrutiny of opposition activities in Uganda.
Reports of repression and suppression of oppositions are common as the strive to unseat the septuagenarian Museveni, who has ruling the country over the last three decades is always a tug of war, leading to a serious confrontations between the authorities and opposition supporters.
By xamse
September 15, 2023
