KAMPALA – Police has said that Bobi Wine alias Robert Kyagulanyi who was meant to begin his presidential consultation meeting on Monday, January 6 in Gayaza did not meet all the necessary provisions of the Public Order Management Act (POMA), which deal with the conduct of public meetings and assemblies.
Bobi Wine who was scheduled to hold a consultative meeting from his constituency, the Kyadondo East, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Gayaza, Catholic Parish was on Monday blocked by police regardless clearance by Electoral Commission.
In a statement issued on Monday evening, police blamed the legislator for not meeting all the necessary procedures like “to notify the relevant local councils and the police of the area.”
“We are aware that the roadmap for the first phase of consultations, by Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, an Aspiring Presidential Candidate for the 2021 Presidential Elections, were supposed to commence today, 06/01/2019, from Wakiso district and get extended to the districts of Gulu, Lira, Adjuman, Yumbe, Arua and Zombo districts,” says police.
Police further says “During the month of December 2019, the Electoral Commission, described consultations as an exchange of views in an attempt to reach a decision. The identified reviews ought to facilitate the exchange of views between the aspirant and those being consulted. And had to be distinguished from campaigns by discouraging the distribution of materials, campaigns, holding rallies and meeting; and canvassing or soliciting for voters envisaged under sections 21 and 24 of the Presidential Elections Act, 2005.”
Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson said that Bobi Wine was reminded as a requirement to notify the relevant local councils and the police of the area, he intended to go for consultations.
He said that although Bobi Wine claims he met all the legal requirements for public consultations, the provisions of the Public Order Management Act, which deal with the conduct of public meetings and assemblies, were not fully met.
“The request should indicate the date and time of the public meeting; details of the organizers, location and consent of the venue owner, the number of persons expected, purpose and any other basic information justified to ensure the smooth conduct of the public meeting. The organizers also have a duty to adhere to the required criteria for holding public meetings, have a traffic assembly plan, provide sufficient stewards proportionate to the number of participants in the public meeting with clearly identified name tags; coordinate and cooperate with the police to maintain peace and order,” said Enanga.
Police claims that “the organizers did not avail the traffic or assembly plan, did not avail the traffic or assembly plan, did not avail public safety before during and after the public meeting, there was adequate provision of emergency response capabilities and there was no joint coordination with police to facilitate access control and maintain public order; the venue was not in a closed setting which were not justified grounds to unsure the smooth conduct of the assembly.”
Police described Bobi Wine as a law disobeying person, saying that he intended to hold an illegal assembly.
“Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi continues to show blatant disregard for the law. As of today, 6th January 2020, he defied the procedures in the POMA, and went on to hold an illegal assembly and procession. After the attempt to force his way to the open venue. He was cautioned in vain and later arrested together with Hon. Latif Ssebagala and Hon Asuman Basalirwa and 13 other boda boda riders who were engaging in criminal behaviour,” said police in a statement.
