Security warns NUP, Besigye’s PFT against planned riots set for next week

The leadership of the Joint Security Agencies says it has obtained credible intelligence about plans by National Unity Platform, NUP party, the newly formed “Peoples Front for Transition, and other political actors, to hold riots and political demonstrations across the country, beginning, Monday, 8.11.2021. 

CP Fred Enanga the police spokesperson says the intelligence reveals how NUP has mobilized its political leaders at various levels from Members of Parliament, Councilors, and other local actors of violence, to hold riots and political demonstrations, over the lawful remand of two opposition Hon. Segirinya Muhammad and Hon. Allan Sewanyana.

“The other reasons they are fronting rotate around the ongoing bail reforms.  On the other hand, the Peoples Front For Transition has through their leader, the Rtd. Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye, called for all forceful means to take over a legitimate government. As you all know, politically motivated violence is dangerous, and as witnessed during November 2020, violent riots and political demonstrations, can lead to loss of lives and massive destruction of property” Enanga says.

He added that it is unfortunate that selected politicians from the opposition have reached a conclusion, that incitement to violence and related acts of looting, destruction, and vandalism, is the only ticket to political change and relevance in Uganda.  These are, however, not real or legitimate causes for them to pursue violent agendas.

“As the Joint Security Agencies, we took hard lessons from November 2020, riots and political demonstrations, and the collateral damage suffered.  This time we are going to respond swiftly and target the perpetrators, professional instigators of violence, ring leaders, participants, and those who may be funding such illegitimate acts of violence” Enanga added.

He further revealed that so far, 4 suspects have been arrested from the NUP cell in Kasese with plans of incitement to violence and related subversive activities. 

All suspects include; Basisa Bryans, a 37-year-old, male adult, and resident of Kamaiba ward, Kasese district; Mumbere Isaac, a 31-year-old, male adult, of Nyangi village; Bwambale Geoffrey, a 29-year-old, male nurse of Nyagoda 1 village and Isande Atanazio, a 27-year-old Laboratory technician of Ibanda I cell, are under custody at Kasese Police headquarters. The operations to crack down all criminal elements involved in the planning and preparation for the violent riots and political demonstrations are still ongoing.

Enanga reiterated that security agencies are not targeting free speech rights but rather focused on a calculated and loosely coordinated campaign of instigating violence and further escalating it into a civil uprising. 

“Once again, our responses will ensure the rights of the majority of Ugandans, to life and property are not disrupted by these perennial instigators of violence,” he said.