The Uganda Police Force has warned it will severely deal with elements of the opposition in the country planning civil demonstrations demanding for electoral reforms and re-opening of closed radio stations.
The coalition of major opposition political parties opposed to the ruling National Resistance Movement policies in the run up to 2011 elections are threatening to hold several peaceful demonstrations protesting the recent reappointment of the electoral commission they accuse of partiality.
The opposition members are also demanding the reopening of an FM radio station owned by a cultural institution which has been at logger heads with the central government demanding for a federal system of government
But the Inspector General of Uganda police Major General Kale Kaihura said on Monday that his office had not cleared the Inter-Party Coalition to demonstrate and march onto Parliament.
“We have not received any notification from anybody of any intended demonstration to petition the Speaker of the National Assembly, or to any other place,” he said in a statement.
He said the procedure for demonstrations to, and of petitioning the Speaker of Parliament, is known as the petitioner has to first seek permission from the Speaker.
Should the Speaker accept to receive the petitioner/demonstrators, the organizers of the intended demonstration must notify the Police, with proof of the Speaker’s approval/invitation. In this instance, none of the above information has been provided to Police, he stressed.
He assured the public and particularly, the business community, travelers and all visitors that the Uganda Police Force, and sister security agencies, shall ensure that there is law and order in the City, and that life and property is protected.
Source African Press Agency
