KAMPALA – Police have threatened to block music concerts if artistes continue to be pelted with water bottles.
Recently, several artistes, including Full Figure, Catherine Kusasira and Big Eye, have been pelted with water bottles and heckled off stage, an action that is viewed as a protest against the group’s support of the ruling NRM party.
But speaking to journalists at the police headquarters in Naguru on Monday, January 27, 2020, Police spokesperson Fred Enanga tasked event organisers to ensure safety of the artistes at the concerts.
“We would like to issue a serious warning to event promoters and organisers against acts of disorder by revelers and activists burling bottles and stones during public events and in particular music concerts. We do not want to see a repeat of these ugly incidents which have a potential of putting lives of participants at greater risk,” Mr Enanga said.
He added that sanctions will be taken against events managers if people throw bottles at artistes.
“We want everyone attending these events or concerts to have all the fun while obeying the law by acting responsibly and staying safe. It is a timely warning at the beginning of the year, so that sanctions can be taken against an organiser or promoter who fails to address acts of hooliganism and disorders.”
Mr Enanga said before any concert, organisers must provide a plan on how to manage and regulate crowd behavior through the deployment of stewards, ushers and private security.
“Invest in research to find out which musicians are not wanted by the public and these should not be invited for concerts. If you don’t follow the provided guidelines, in future we will not allow concerts,” he said.
