Following years of hostility, the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders on Monday entered into an agreement with Uganda Police Force on a number of issues, in order to facilitate peaceful co-existence and avoid confrontations every time the two meet.
Leaders and supporters of opposition groups in Uganda often clash with security agents especially police during protests and public gatherings, culminating into bullets, teargas and at times deaths. This could be about to change after police extended an olive branch last week. The NUP leaders including NP president, Robert Kyagulanyi, accepted the offer.
NUP leaders led by Secretary General, Lewis Rubongoya and the party spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi, the NUP leaders walked into a meeting convened at Naguru police headquarters, ahead of NUP planned activities starting this week in Buganda which has been a hotspot for the clashes.
The meeting agreed on the following:
1. The NUP Leadership should, in all their notifications, write officially to the IGP early enough as per the law to allow UPF management to reply in time and copy their letters to the Territorial Commanders.
2. The District Security Committee shall carry out an assessment of security at the venue, environs, and the route that the NUP members intend to use before the meetings. The committee will work together with the Liaison Officer of NUP to agree on an appropriate venue where Police can effectively provide security. The assessment will be in coordination with town clerks who always grant permission for venue usage.
3. The NUP Leadership will provide a liaison officer whose role will be to coordinate with Police Headquarters and Unit Commanders regarding preparations for holding their activities and following up on security concerns from the party.
4. The meeting urged NUP Leadership to prevail over their members who wear military insignia, as these acts contravene the law. Persons found culpable shall be dealt with individually.
5. Regarding the alleged confiscated NUP items by security, it was agreed that a follow-up will be made by the Director of Operations, and communication will be made later.
6. Regarding NUP members arrested for acts contravening the law, the meeting agreed that the NUP Liaison Officer should always contact Police for follow up.
Hopefully, we may see both the two sides keep their promises ahead of the NUP rallies in Mukono (29th May) Masaka (03 May) and Mityana (4th June, 2024).