TOUGH: Security Seige At Bobi Wines’ Residence To Last For Long-Police

Robert Kyagulanyi cant leave his home in Magere. PHOTO/COURTESY

By ROBERT KAMUKAMA

KAMPALA, Uganda|SHIFTMEDIA| The security seige at National Unity Platform President’s residence in Magere is not about to be withdrawn, police as disclosed.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) offices were also yesterday (Monday) surrounded by army and police, blocking all party members and leaders from accessing the office.

Police said the siege was aimed at neutralising security threats that had been detected.

The army and police have since the January,14 election day surrounded Kyagulanyi’s home in Magere, Wakiso district and National Unity Platform offices in Kamwokya, blocking a number of people from accessing.

Addressing journalists on Monday, Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga confirmed the siege but noted it is meant to prevent any form of violence that might break out throughout the country.

“We want to assure Ugandans of a peaceful aftermath of the elections. We have been able to counter most of the plans. There have been information of certain political parties and certain individuals coming up with plan B to instigate riots in protest of the outcome of elections. That’s why we have maintained a security cover around Kasangati and Magere, including the home of hon. Kyagulanyi,”Enanga said.

Whereas there had been reports of Kyagulanyi, the runners up in last week’s presidential elections being put under house arrest, security denied the same but noted there is a controlled arrangement of visitors going in and out of the National Unity Platform principal’s home.

A police patrol pick-up truck parked at the gate of the headquarters of NUP offices in Kamwokya, Kampala, yesterday. PHOTO/ ABUBAKER LUBOWA

“It is not that he is under house arrest but we have our surveillance teams trying to counter any plans seeing that there are violent demonstrations and riots instigated as had been threatened by some of those people,” Enanga said.

“We are going to continue maintaining this presence during this aftermath of the elections because they want to use this period when declarations are hot to instigate protests but we will not allow that to happen.”

The development comes at a time when Kyagulanyi’s NUP is said to be gathering evidence to petition the Supreme Court challenging the declaration of NRM’s Yoweri Museveni as the winner of January 14 ,2021, presidential elections.

US warns on seige 

The United States ambassador to Uganda Natalie Brown who was also blocked as she tried to access Kyagulanyi on Monday has warned for dire consequences saying human rights abuse must cease.

“The purpose of Ambassador Brown’s visit was to check on Kyagulanyi’s health and safety, given that he’s effectively been unable to leave his home, with security forces surrounding his residence,” the embassy said in a January 18, 2021 statement.

America says that Uganda’s election campaigns were marred by the harassment of opposition candidates, campaign staff, and supporters; suppression of the media and civil society organization activities; and a nationwide internet shutdown before, during, and after voting day.

“These unlawful actions and the effective house arrest of a presidential candidate continue a worrying trend on the course of Uganda’s democracy.”

“We call on the Ugandan government to respect their citizens’ human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of the press as provided for in Uganda’s own constitution and according to commitments Uganda has made to uphold international human rights standards,” U.S. added.

They warned that nobody should be unlawfully denied a means to communicate and the freedom to leave their home, should they choose to do so.

Shift Media News

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