Asuman Mugyenyi
KAMPALA-Police has ordered opposition leaders to stop joint consultative rallies on the age limit bill.
In a statement from AIGP Asuman Mugyenyi, the police Director in charge of operations, dated October 16,politicians have been stopped from carrying out consultative meetings in constituencies they don’t represent.
“MPs should strictly consult in their constituencies.Those MPs moving or intending to move in order to support counterparts or consult outside their constitutencies must be stopped,”reads in part the message to all Regional Police Commanders,District Police Commanders and police stations around the country.
“Consultations should not include abusive language,acts of hooliganism,and intimidation of people perceived to be supporting the removal of age limit.” AIGP Mugenyi warned,”All RPCS,DPCS and OC stations are directed to enforce this directive.”
Speaker Rebecca Kadaga on October 4, 2017 directed MPS to consult their constituencies on the amendment of Article 102 (b) of the constitution.
Opposition politicians have since last week embarked on nation wide Consultation drive to mobilize Ugandans against the Bill that seeks to amend article 102.
Rubaga North constituency MP Moses Kasibante told locals that as opposition, their goal is not consulting them whether to lift the age limit from the constitution or not but rather telling them what to do with anyone who tampers with the Constitution.
“When they come to funerals, make their way back home easy by forcing them away. You should make sure they don’t drive home but pick their vehicles from nearby police stations,”Kasibante said.
The joint rallies by opposition politicians were attended by among others the Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza, FDC president , Maj.Gen.Mugisha Muntu and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago
Winnie Kiiza says the police on the orders of the IGP Kale Kayihura has repeatedly broken up and dispersed lawful gatherings organized by MPs in their constituencies.
“I don’t see why they should follow people who are addressing legally accepted rallies, and yet they are failing to protect people who are being killed every other day.” She stressed.
Kiiza asserts that when the speaker adjourned the house last week she advised legislators to go and consult their constituents on the Constitutional amendment No2. Bill 2017 commonly referred to as the age limit bill.
The bill is currently before the legal committee of parliament which is set to begin its own consultations on the controversial bill.
