KAMPALA – Police have in unprecedented circumstances blocked Bobi Wine’s Easter concerts a day after clearing them to take place.
Police had last week set stringent conditions under the Kyadondo East MP can hold his concerts.
But in a letter dated April 19, 2019, police director of operations Asumani Mugenyi says Bobi Wine cannot hold his shows because he has always disregarded the set and agreed upon guidelines for such activities.
“This serves to inform you that despite the elaborate and clear guidelines well stipulated in our correspondences and the previous meetings we have had regarding the preparations for, the manner, the conduct, the characterises and security demands from your side, the previous concerns have fallen short of agreed upon positions in line with lawfulness, safety and security,” Mr Mugenyi’s letter also copied to Abtex Promotions, the organisers; Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander and all regional police commanders reads in part.
“For example, the disregard for the set and agreed upon guidelines has quite often resulted in acts related to public nuisance, violation of traffic rules and regulations and various other misconduct which [is] not only a breach of the law but endangers lives of Ugandans, some of whom are not part of the revelers,” he adds.
Mr Mugenyi orders all police commanders to block the shows.
Below is Mugenyi’s the letter
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In respect to the above captioned subject matter, yours to the Inspector General of Police dated 25thMarch, 2019, and our subsequent correspondence ref OPS/176/01, dated 15th April 2019.
This serves to inform you that despite the elaborate and clear guidelines well stipulated in our correspondences and the previous meetings we have had regarding the preparations for, the manner, the conduct, the characterises and security demands from your side, the previous concerns have fallen short of agreed upon positions in line with lawfulness, safety and security.
For example, the disregard for the set and agreed upon guidelines has quite often resulted in acts related to public nuisance, violation of traffic rules and regulations and various other misconduct which [is] not only a breach of the law but endangers lives of Ugandans, some of whom are not part of the revellers.
On the background, therefore, Uganda Police will not be able to secure your planned concerts and will not risk them to be carried out in any unsecure environment (s).
You will, therefore, have to suspend or stop such concerts until such robust public safety mechanisms are put in place to secure the revellers, other Ugandans who may be affected by such concerts and keep law, order, and public safety generally.
Respective territorial police commanders are by copy of this letter informed accordingly. Make sure there is compliance
