Police have warned those planning to march to Parliament on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, in a protest against corruption, saying it is illegal.
Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said they have received information about mobilisation on social media, calling for people to march to Parliament.
“Unidentified organisers have circulated placards urging people to gather on all Kampala streets on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, but the time of commencement and organisational details are unclear,” he told journalists on Monday.
Unidentified organisers have circulated placards, urging citizens to gather on all Kampala streets, but details regarding the time of commencement and organisational specifics remain unclear.
Rusooke emphasised the potential for disorder due to the lack of transparency in the event’s organisation.
“Given the lack of transparency and potential for disorder, the police strongly warn against proceeding with this march,” he stated.
The police spokesperson made it clear that while the right to peaceful protest will be respected, the UPF will not tolerate any attempts to incite public disorder.
The Kampala Report has seen a letter written by the activists to police regarding the planned protest. The letter was written on Friday, July 12, 2024. However, Rusoke did not refer to it in the Monday briefing.
“Uganda Police Force is issuing a clear warning against attempts to incite violence or breach public order through uncontrolled demonstrations,” Rusoke reiterated.
Police urged individuals who wish to exercise their rights, such as the right to assembly and demonstration, to work collaboratively with the police.
This cooperation is crucial to ensure that these expressions of rights are not hijacked by individuals with criminal intentions.
“The right to a peaceful protest will be respected, but police will not tolerate attempts to incite public disorder,” Rusooke affirmed.
‘UPF urges persons who wish to exercise their rights to always work collaboratively with it to ensure that they don’t aid persons of ulterior motives to hijack these expressions to accomplish criminal intentions.”
The police statement comes weeks after violent protests by Kenyan youths protesting against the Finance Bill and wasteful expenditure by the William Ruto government.
The youth took to the streets and stormed the parliamentary building forcing legislators to flee for dear life. The protesters vandalized the chambers before they torched part of the parliamentary building. Fifteen youths were gunned down by security.