KAMPALA – The Uganda Police Force issued a stern warning on Monday regarding a planned protest set to take place on the streets of Kampala, the nation’s capital, and a march to parliament scheduled for July 23.
Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma informed reporters that anonymous organizers have been distributing placards encouraging people to gather on July 23.
Social media has seen increasing mobilization efforts urging citizens to join the protest.
“Given the lack of transparency and the potential for disorder, the police strongly warn against proceeding with this march,” he said.
Kituuma emphasized that while the right to peaceful protest will be respected, any attempts to incite violence or disrupt public order will not be tolerated.
“The right to a peaceful protest will be respected, but police will not tolerate attempts to incite public disorder.”
“UPF urges persons who wish to exercise their rights such as the right to assembly and demonstrate to always work collaboratively with it to ensure that they don’t aid persons of ulterior motives to hijack these expressions to accomplish criminal intentions.”
He encouraged those wishing to exercise their rights to assembly and demonstration to collaborate with the police to prevent their actions from being exploited by individuals with malicious intent.
This warning comes in the wake of recent violent protests in neighboring Kenya, where the parliament building and commercial properties were stormed and vandalized, leading to deaths and significant turmoil.
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