The president of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, has declared that he will not follow the police order to stop his countrywide tours.
The police recently prohibited NUP’s tours, claiming they caused traffic problems and disrupted business in the areas where they occurred. However, Kyagulanyi, speaking to reporters at his offices in Kampala, stated that he would not obey the police because their orders were not legal.
Kyagulanyi emphasized that the police did not have the authority to grant or deny permission for public gatherings. He argued that they were merely informing the police about their activities, as required by the law. He asserted that they would only respect orders that followed the law.
Kyagulanyi criticized the police statement by Deputy Inspector General Tumusiime Katsigazi, saying it seemed more like a statement from a supporter of the ruling NRM party rather than a neutral police force. The police had justified their ban by accusing Kyagulanyi of inciting violence, promoting sectarianism, and making illegitimate calls to overthrow the government during his speeches in Luweero district.
Kyagulanyi challenged the police to take legal action against him if he had indeed broken any laws instead of acting as both accuser and judge. He also dismissed the police’s concerns about his safety, suggesting that President Museveni’s security forces were the real threat.
Kyagulanyi affirmed that despite their non-violent nature, they would not halt their activities due to fear of violence, which had occurred in clashes with security forces in the past. He viewed allegations of NUP being violent and disrespectful to road users as propaganda to justify the ban.
Kyagulanyi had embarked on a national tour, visiting various places, including Mayuge, Busia, Mbale, Mbarara, Kasese, Kabale, Arua, and Luweero, drawing large crowds. He announced plans to resume the second leg of the tour in three weeks without specifying the locations.
