NUP, Police Agree on Mobilization Protocol

Summary:

• Last week, the National Unity Platform (NUP) presented a protest letter to the police, condemning the unlawful blocking of their mobilization activities. Following police actions that halted events in Kamuri, Bugweri, and Palisa, NUP leaders met with the police, who promised to address their concerns.

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KAMPALA, (Examiner) – Last week, the National Unity Platform (NUP) party leadership presented a protest letter to the police, decrying what they deem as the unlawful blocking of their mobilization activities. “Yes, we’ve written a protest letter not because we expect the police to be any different, but we wanted to go on record,” stated LoP Joel Ssenyonyi. This letter followed police actions that halted three of the party’s scheduled mobilization tours beginning with an event in Kamuri on May 22nd, followed by others in Bugweri and Palisa in eastern Uganda. These events had drawn substantial crowds, with processions accompanying NUP leaders to the venues.

The protest led to a meeting between the NUP delegation and the police, led by Director of Operations Frank Mwesigwa. During the meeting, the police promised to provide guidance on any specific concerns or routes to be used for future events. The NUP emphasized that the banning of their activities has no legal standing and that any concerns from the police should be communicated promptly.

After a nearly three-hour meeting, NUP leaders raised concerns about the halt of their mobilization activities, the perceived partisan nature of police actions, and the abduction of party members over attire, which they argue differs from security fatigues. “We are trying to tell them that you cannot say that NUP should only have town halls or meetings in enclosed venues while others hold massive rallies and processions,” Lewis Rubongoya, Party Secretary General said. The party aims to ensure they are not subjected to different standards than other political entities.

The police committed to responding to the requests made during the meeting. Despite past instances where security agencies have reneged on agreements with opposition parties, NUP leaders expressed cautious optimism about their upcoming meetings in Mukono and Masaka. “They will receive our letters properly and officially so we are able to work together, and we’re happy to work with the police to do what we are meant to do,” Medard Lubega Ssegona, Busiro MP added. NUP remains firm that they will not be forced to conduct politics covertly and insisted that regulations should facilitate rather than frustrate their activities.

NUP plans to draft a new schedule to revisit the districts where their mobilization activities were previously blocked.