JOHN BAPTIST

The Uganda Police Force has issued a strong warning to the organizers of the planned anti-corruption match to parliament slated for Tuesday 23, 2024, citing a lack of transparency and uncontrolled disorder.

The revelation was made by Police Spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma during a weekly media engagement at police headquarters in Naguru.

The police statement comes weeks after violent protests by Kenyan youths protesting against the Finance Bill and wasteful expenditure by the William Ruto government.

The police statement comes weeks after the violent demonstrations led by Kenyan Gen-Z protesting against the Finance Bill and what they consider to be wasteful spending by the government under William Ruto.

Following allegations of Corruption in Uganda’s Parliament, Ministries, Departments and agencies, a group of unidentified anti-corruption activists organized an anti-corruption match to parliament on Tuesday 23 July 2024 which they dubbed as black Tuesday.

Information about this planned protest has been going rounds across all social media platforms calling for attention from the Uganda Police as explained by Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Rusoke Kituume.

The police reaction comes weeks after the violent demonstrations led by Kenyan Gen-Z protesting against the Finance Bill and what they consider to be wasteful spending by the government under William Ruto.

However, Assistant Commissioner of Police Rusoke Kituuma has issued a strong warning to the perpetrators of this event saying the Uganda police are well prepared to foil their plans. He cited a lack of transparency and the potential for uncontrolled disorder as the reasons for stopping the protest.

Addressing on June 6th, 2024, President Museveni noted how he had evidence of collusion between officials at the Ministry of Finance and Parliament. He said the politicians were part of groups perpetrating graft in the country

However, in response, the Speaker of Parliament refuted the President’s claims saying the house is corruption-free, even after some lawmakers and ministers are grappling with corruption charges in the courts of law.

According to Article 29 of Uganda’s constitution of 1995, every person has the freedom of speech and expression and the freedom to assemble and demonstrate peacefully publicly.

However, section 32 of the Police Act vests police the power to regulate assemblies and processions while section 33 of the same act grants police the power to stop and to order to disperse assemblies and processions, causing co-motion between the police and the public

Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma says any individuals willing to exercise their rights to assembly and demonstration should fully engage the police saying they are ready to guide the public in exercising their right, but without jeopardizing public safety.