{UAH} IGP's statement on arrest of NRM youths
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The press continues to carry misleading stories that an ongoing
investigation by the Police of certain persons associated with NRM
party, who have been moving around the country collecting signatures
is, in fact, harassment of supporters of Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, the
Prime Minister, and that the harassment is because of their political
opinions, and inclinations. We wish to clarify that this is not
correct. The Police is not targeting or harassing any such
individuals, or anybody for that matter, let alone, because of their
political opinions as claimed in media stories.
We wish to make it clear that, while our investigation is about
criminal behavior connected with ongoing political controversies
within the NRM party, it is not about those controversies. We do not
inquire, and we do not have the mandate, and, have no interest in
which political leader any member of the public supports or does not
support. A person supporting this or that leader is really not our
concern, as Police, because that is one's prerogative. In any case,
such matters are dealt with by the internal processes of political
organizations, in this case the NRM party.
Indeed, Police is conducting investigation into reports that certain
individuals associated with the NRM party are going around the country
securing or attempting to secure signatures, using methods that amount
to criminality such as using bribery or on the basis of falsehoods.
The reports we are investigating are that those from whom they seek
signatures are bribed with money, or misled as to the actual reasons
the signatures are being sought. For instance, the Police received
reports of a group of people moving around collecting signatures from
people in Kampala, falsely claiming that the intention was to take
them to the President so that the longstanding promises the President
are, at last, fulfilled.
Others were paid money (actually bribed) ranging from shs 50,000 to
500,000 depending on their respective status in the NRM party. There
are other reports of money being unlawfully paid (bribery) out by
different teams going around the country. While any person, is free to
solicit and receive signatures for lawful purpose, those signing must
do so freely without undue or unlawful compulsion or any unlawful
influence through false representations, and, certainly, without money
exchanging hands, unlawfully such as bribery. It should be voluntary
on the part of the signatories. There are reports that some local
leaders involved, actually abused their respective offices, which is
criminal.
On receiving the reports, the Police, using standard methods, summoned
and interviewed persons implicated. In most cases, the Police have
received cooperation. It is, only, in very limited cases that arrests
of such persons were made. Some of the persons have appeared as
suspects, and others have appeared as witnesses. They are others still
at large who the Police are interested in, and will have to interview.
In all cases, the police officers investigating the case have acted
with professionalism, respecting the rights of suspects, and treating
them with utmost respect.
We wish to stress, and assure the leadership of the NRM party, and
specifically, the Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, as well as the persons
implicated, and the general public that nobody is being targeted for
their opinions or because of who they support or not support. Indeed,
expressing an opinion is not, by itself, a criminal offence and it is
not correct to interpret the Police actions as harassment of someone
freely expressing his or her views on this or that political issue. As
we noted above, our focus is investigation of reported criminal
behavior. If they are innocent, they have nothing to fear. They will
be cleared. If they are culpable, however, they should be prepared to
face the judicial process.
We want to assure the public that, in spite of the negative and
diversionary stories in the media, we shall not be deterred. The
Police will not be intimidated, or blackmailed and shy away from
bringing to justice any member of public alleged to have committed an
offense, their political "opinions" or inclinations notwithstanding.
Thank you for your understanding.
Gen. Kale Kayihura
Inspector General of Police
10/3/2014
investigation by the Police of certain persons associated with NRM
party, who have been moving around the country collecting signatures
is, in fact, harassment of supporters of Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, the
Prime Minister, and that the harassment is because of their political
opinions, and inclinations. We wish to clarify that this is not
correct. The Police is not targeting or harassing any such
individuals, or anybody for that matter, let alone, because of their
political opinions as claimed in media stories.
We wish to make it clear that, while our investigation is about
criminal behavior connected with ongoing political controversies
within the NRM party, it is not about those controversies. We do not
inquire, and we do not have the mandate, and, have no interest in
which political leader any member of the public supports or does not
support. A person supporting this or that leader is really not our
concern, as Police, because that is one's prerogative. In any case,
such matters are dealt with by the internal processes of political
organizations, in this case the NRM party.
Indeed, Police is conducting investigation into reports that certain
individuals associated with the NRM party are going around the country
securing or attempting to secure signatures, using methods that amount
to criminality such as using bribery or on the basis of falsehoods.
The reports we are investigating are that those from whom they seek
signatures are bribed with money, or misled as to the actual reasons
the signatures are being sought. For instance, the Police received
reports of a group of people moving around collecting signatures from
people in Kampala, falsely claiming that the intention was to take
them to the President so that the longstanding promises the President
are, at last, fulfilled.
Others were paid money (actually bribed) ranging from shs 50,000 to
500,000 depending on their respective status in the NRM party. There
are other reports of money being unlawfully paid (bribery) out by
different teams going around the country. While any person, is free to
solicit and receive signatures for lawful purpose, those signing must
do so freely without undue or unlawful compulsion or any unlawful
influence through false representations, and, certainly, without money
exchanging hands, unlawfully such as bribery. It should be voluntary
on the part of the signatories. There are reports that some local
leaders involved, actually abused their respective offices, which is
criminal.
On receiving the reports, the Police, using standard methods, summoned
and interviewed persons implicated. In most cases, the Police have
received cooperation. It is, only, in very limited cases that arrests
of such persons were made. Some of the persons have appeared as
suspects, and others have appeared as witnesses. They are others still
at large who the Police are interested in, and will have to interview.
In all cases, the police officers investigating the case have acted
with professionalism, respecting the rights of suspects, and treating
them with utmost respect.
We wish to stress, and assure the leadership of the NRM party, and
specifically, the Rt. Hon. Amama Mbabazi, as well as the persons
implicated, and the general public that nobody is being targeted for
their opinions or because of who they support or not support. Indeed,
expressing an opinion is not, by itself, a criminal offence and it is
not correct to interpret the Police actions as harassment of someone
freely expressing his or her views on this or that political issue. As
we noted above, our focus is investigation of reported criminal
behavior. If they are innocent, they have nothing to fear. They will
be cleared. If they are culpable, however, they should be prepared to
face the judicial process.
We want to assure the public that, in spite of the negative and
diversionary stories in the media, we shall not be deterred. The
Police will not be intimidated, or blackmailed and shy away from
bringing to justice any member of public alleged to have committed an
offense, their political "opinions" or inclinations notwithstanding.
Thank you for your understanding.
Gen. Kale Kayihura
Inspector General of Police
10/3/2014
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