Police sued for stopping FDC presidential campaigns in public places

Francis Mwijukye, the Buhweju Member of Parliament has dragged the police force and the Kayihura to court for stopping opposition party, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential aspirants from conducting public meetings and rallies.

In a November 6th letter, the police Director in charge of operations Asuman Mugyenyi wrote to the FDC Deputy Secretary General asking the party to make adjustments in their presidential campaign program.

“It is our advice that in view of the fact that your forthcoming party presidential elections are going to be held at the electoral college level ,your campaigns should therefore be done indoors in places like halls and  hotels. For that matter, there shall be no public rallies nor processions in those areas of your campaign,” said Mugyenyi in a letter to FDC.

However, according to Mwijukye, the communication by police was in violation of the Constitutional rights of FDC supporters.

“The Inspector General of Police, is personally liable for the resultant violence, loss, damage and injury suffered by members of the public in various parts of the country as a result of the enforcement of the impugned directive,”Mwijukye says in his suit to the civil division of the High Court.

The FDC member argues that it was wrong for police to come out and block their gathering in public places despite having written to them earlier in regards to the same matter, adding that blocking them is a violation of their constitutional rights by police.

Police has of recent dispersed rallies for Patrick Oboi Amuriat, one of the aspirants for the FDC presidential seat and teargas has been used to disperse the crowds.

However according to the Buhweju legislator, court should come out to with an injunction, restraining police from implementing the directive that stops presidential campaigns in open public places.

He argues that stopping of their rallies by police has in some cases led to loss of lives by FDC supporters as police tries to enforce the directive and wants court to quash the directive.

Three people including the incumbent Gen.Mugisha Muntu, Patrick Amuriat and Moses Byamugisha are vying for the top seat of the biggest opposition party.