Mabirizi drags Police boss to court over suspension of Bobi Wine countrywide tour

The charges that have been opened up at Nakawa Magistrates Court include scandalous conduct by officers contrary to 145(1) and 145(2) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces Act, 2005, and conduct prejudicial to good conduct and order.

In his charge sheet, which has already been received by the Court Registry, Mabirizi contends that Katsigazi, a serving officer of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), on September 13, 2023, at Naguru, Nakawa Division, Kampala City, made, documented, and publicly circulated political statements against the National Unity Platform Political Party, a political party in opposition, and in favour of the National Resistance Movement Political Party, a party wielding political power, and its Chairman, who performs the work of

President of the Republic of Uganda, whose conduct was generally against public order, expectations, and morality and which directly or indirectly affected other Ugandans.

Police recently suspended the National Unity Platform mobilisation's national tours, citing the party's failure to follow guidelines.

A statement issued by Major General Geoffrey Katsigazi Tumusiime, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, indicated that police have been observing breaches of set guidelines in areas where the party held its activities.

"While we completely support the right of individuals, groups, and other citizens to peacefully gather or assemble and express their views on matters of public policy, we have noticed that, in all areas where the NUP mobilisation activities have been carried out, there have been total breaches of the guidelines, thus causing public disorder, unnecessary traffic jams, loss of business, and malicious damage to property," the statement, which was issued on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, read in part.

The statement further read: "For instance, in Mbarara City, their rowdy supporters vandalised a Toyota Hiace under reg. no. UBD 251J and caused traffic accidents, including a fatal one in Houma City on September 11th, where Mugisa Norman died and 10 others got serious injuries during the NUP convoy."

Additionally, police said NUP’s mobilisation activity in Luweero was used to incite violence, promote sectarianism, and make illegitimate calls for the removal of an elected government. and the issuance of defamatory statements against the president.