IGP Byakagaba Halts NUP Rallies

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abbas Byakagaba, has halted all rallies of National Unit Platform (NUP) two days after they had been cleared. 

Byakagaba, who officially assumed office on Tuesday this week, on Friday night through police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, directed all police commanders to ensure NUP doesn’t proceed with their intended rallies with the next one planned for Tuesday in Mityana Municipality.

According to Byakagaba, the decision follows NUP’s lawlessness that was exhibited on Friday on Masaka road as its President Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine headed to Masaka. He added that an audit on the rallies will be conducted. 

Bobi Wine’s convoy of motorcycles and cars belonging to Leader of Opposition (LOP), Joel Ssenyonyi, Members of Parliament and other party diehards caused traffic congestion right from their office in Makerere Kavule up to Masaka.

Even though Bobi Wine cautioned his supporters mostly those riding motorcycles to ride carefully before they set off at party’s headquarters at Kavule, it did not deter lawlessness on the road to the extent of causing multiple crashes at Maya, Nsangi Sub-county, which left three people dead.

The crash that claimed lives of the three people who were part of Bobi Wine’s convoy occurred at 10 am at St Lawrence College, Maya, along Kampala Masaka Highway.

According to ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, the deputy Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, the fatal crash involved two motor vehicles and four motorcycles which were part of a motorcade in a procession of NUP heading to Masaka for consultative activities.

According to the police, the loss of three lives was a result of recklessness of the drivers and riders who were driving in excess speed without regard to other road users.

Enanga said whereas police leadership met with the NUP leadership on Monday at police headquarters and agreed on how to conduct their consultative meetings, the party has disregarded the agreed position.

“…and continue to act with impunity as demonstrated in today’s unfortunate incident at Maya. As the government Agency mandated to protect life and property, keep law and order, the police management has decided to halt any further consultative activities of NUP as a party with immediate effect until this matter is conclusively investigated and resolved,” Enanga explained.

It is alleged that more than 10 other people who were injured during Bobi Wine’s travel to Masaka were rushed to different health amenities. 

IGP Byakagaba has appealed to the public to remain vigilant, observe law and order, warning that whoever acts contrary to public order and safety shall be held accountable under the laws of the country.

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