Ofwono Opondo, the Government Spokesperson and also doubling as Executive Director of the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, has advised the police to handle the alleged forthcoming anti-corruption protests with a soft hand to allow the young people to amplify their voices on governance issues in their country.
According to Opondo, the Uganda Police Force (UPF) should not always use hard power in handling demonstrations because holding demonstrations is a constitutional prerogative.
“The task of the police is not to always apply hard power. They can conduct proactive strategic engagement, monitor, and, in case of violations of agreed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), intervene,” Ofwono said.
Opondo presumes the police are going to mismanage the issue of young people seeking a voice in governance. He, however, advised that the police ask the organizers to ensure a peaceful procession and, if possible, select a few people to hand over their petition to Speaker Anita Annet Among.
However, the Masaka Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Hussein Hudu, said that all demonstrations that have so far happened across the world started peacefully and ended violently.
“Senior, we live in a realistic world. All demonstrations started like this and ended quite differently. It’s not what they say; it’s the norm,” Hudu said.
However, in the July 18, 2024, meeting between the organizers of the demonstration and the police, it was resolved that the police will not allow any demonstrations in crowded places such as cities to disrupt lawful activities, reassuring that there are some elements who want to tap into the would-be peaceful demonstrations to disrupt public order and incite violence, which contradicts the laws of Uganda.
As days count down to July 23, 2024, the date set for the Anti-Corruption March to Parliament, numerous Ugandan netizens have vowed to stop at nothing to hold corrupt government officials accountable.
