The Deputy Inspector of Police Maj. Gen Paul Lokech has assured Ugandans that the force and sister security agencies are ready to protect them and their properties despite rumors that there will be violent protests starting on February 3rd to 7th.
While addressing the Joint security meeting in Kampala today, Gen. Lokech said they are very much aware of individuals and political groups that are promoting panic and fear, using malicious video footages and audios, to purposely intimidate and prevent members of the public from going about their normal businesses or reporting for work the from 3rd to the 7th of February 2021.
He explains that the audios and videos talk about people staying in their homes, stocking food and threatening all persons who will defy their alleged stay at home orders.
"The authors who are allegedly aligned to some opposition groups indicate how the protests will transition into a mass uprising including the use of external forces to attack government" Lokech says.
The Deputy IGP noted that this development by some opposition members of marshaling fear to rally support for street violence and civil uprising, for their selfish political advantage is not new to the security agencies and that for politicians to spread this kind of negative propaganda across the country is trying to provoke people to incite violence.
"We want to inform the public that we are taking these threats seriously and would like to assure them, that they should not be intimidated from going about their lawful businesses, because their security and safety is guaranteed. We have shown Ugandans over and over again that we would have a very peaceful election and indeed it was very peaceful" he warned.
Adding that they are now doing everything within their means to keep the general public safe and secure, from all forms of violence including politics that is divisive and manipulative during this aftermath of the Elections.
Gen. Lokech called upon all Ugandans to reject such politics of fear, noting that the over whelming majority of Ugandans made their voices to be heard during the recent general elections and now want to live in peace and dignity, without the fear of restricting their movement and uncertainty about what will follow.
Many have families, others have to go to work, look for school fees, pay taxes etc and they deserve the right to live without fear. We urge them not to tolerate any acts of impunity and lawlessness in their communities and watch out for any culprits planning to burn tyres, attack other Ugandans going about their normal businesses??? the deputy IGP said.
He appealed to whoever is being intimidated or has information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators to avail it to the nearest Police Unit, other security agency or local council for immediate action.
He further reassured all Ugandans and visitors to Uganda, that they have very robust plans to respond proportionately against all perpetrators of violent crime and lawlessness. And that all malicious plans by some opposition groups and their propagandists indicated above will definitely back fire, because security cannot allow for anarchy to prevail in a peaceful country like Uganda.
