IGP rejects Mbabazi’s request to hold second phase of consultation meetings

IGP, Gen. Kale Kayihura addressing presidential aspirants at the EC headquarters in Kampala on Monday. On his right is EC chairman Badru Kiggundu and the Attorney General Fred Ruhindi. Photo by Rachel Mabala

The Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura has rejected presidential aspirant, Amama Mbabazi’s request to hold his second phase of consultation meetings in Northern Uganda.

In a letter dated, September 11, Mr Mbabazi wrote to the IGP requesting to hold his consultation and public meetings in Lira, Gulu and Arua, among others.
However, in a letter dated September 12, Gen. Kayihura responded saying he would not grant Mr Mbabazi’s request because his intended meetings contravene the provisions of the Public Order Management Act and the Presidential Elections Act which regulate public rallies and consultation meetings.

According to Gen. Kayihura, holding public meetings is not allowed in consultation as provided for in section three of the Presidential Elections Act.
“When he asked to hold the first phase of the consultation meetings in Eastern Uganda, I was relaxed and allowed him to do so. However, Mr Mbabazi deviated from what the law provides for. He went ahead and organized and held public rallies yet he is not a presidential candidate there by provoking police to fire tear gas. He (Mbabazi) is still an aspirant,” said Gen. Kayihura.

Gen. Kayihura made the remarks on Monday while addressing presidential aspirants at the Electoral Commission head offices in Kampala. The EC chairperson, Mr Badru Kiggundu had summoned the presidential aspirants to present them with dos and don’ts during their consultative meetings.
“Don’t blame the police (for firing tear gas and live bullets at Mr Mbabazi’s supporters). Blame Mbabazi who organized and held illegal rallies in a market and near the schools. Don’t blame the consequences, blame the cause,” said Gen. Kayihura while referring to incidents where police fired teargas and live bullets to disperse Mbabazi supporters in Soroti and Jinja districts.

According to section 3(i) of the Presidential Elections Act “an aspirant may consult in preparation for his or her nomination as a presidential candidate within twelve months before the nomination date.” Sub-section two provides that “while consulting under subsection one, a presidential aspirant may carry out nationwide consultations, prepare his or her manifesto and other campaign materials, raise funds for his or her campaign through lawful means and convene meetings of national delegates.”

Subsection 3 of the Act states that “while consulting, the aspirant shall introduce himself or herself to the Electoral Commission and notify the relevant local council and the police of the area he or she goes to.”
Earlier, Mr Kiggundu also warned Mr Mbabazi and other presidential aspirants against holding public rallies and campaigns instead of consultation meetings.
Mr Kiggundu said holding presidential campaigns and rallies, is illegal given the fact that the aspirants are not nominated candidates.

“Some aspirants are not respecting the guidelines issued to them and are conducting campaigns, rallies, and distributing campaign materials. The titles you had before aspiring for presidency are now different. Be respectful of the law,” Mr Kiggundu said.

The Attorney General, Mr Fred Ruhindi also cautioned the spirants against deviating from the law when holding their consultation meetings.

According to the AG, section 21 and 24 of the Presidential Elections Act clearly provides for campaigns and public rallies for dully nominated candidates.
“You have freedom of speech for as long as you operate within the law,” he said.