Amama Mbabazi addressing the media in Kampala on Monday
By: Kenneth Kazibwe
Presidential hopeful and former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi has vowed to carry on with his planned consultative meetings that kickoff late this week in Mbale, noting that he is acting in accordance with the law.
Mbabazi made the remarks on Monday morning while addressing journalists at his home in Kololo.
"Of course he has no power to stop me from going for my meetings as scheduled. Even if they put 'mambas' at my gate, I would jump over them and proceed with my journey," Mbabazi responded to a question from ChimpReports.
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"Nothing stops me from enjoying freedoms like any other Ugandan is allowed to move to any part of the country they wish."
According to the former Prime Minister, the Inspector General of police who tries to stop him from exercising his rights to assemble is contravening the constitution and will sometime be held accountable for such actions which he said can't be allowed to go on.
"The Public Order Management Act has no problem and they (police) will be held accountable for violating the law because there is nothing like following orders but only what the constitution says. Everyone is supposed to comply with the law and not following orders," Mbabazi said in reply to Gen Kayihura's letter stopping him from proceeding to Mbale on Thursday.
Gen Kayihura last week wrote to Mbabazi, informing him that the meetings would not be accepted.
"Your programme of public meetings is not cleared by police and cannot go ahead as you intended until, as requested by the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, you first harmonise the position in your letter of introduction to the Electoral Commission and that of your party- the NRM," warned Kayihura.
The police chief further revealed that, "There are other issues relating to the requirements under the Public Order Management Act which I will communicate to you, after you have showed evidence to the police that your intended public meetings are lawful."
And basing on communications from Electoral Commission and NRM Secretary General, Kasule Lumumba, Kayihura last month assured Mbabazi: "It is clear that your (Mbabazi) party has neither sponsored nor endorsed you as an aspirant within the meaning of the NRM constitution and law, and that you have no locus standi to hold public meetings as prospective presidential flag bearer of the NRM Political Organisation and/or presidential aspirant, and that your aspirations are illegal."
Security
However, according to the Presidential hopeful, the mandate of the police force according to the Public Order Management Act is providing security to the participants and in any case they detect a problem, they are expected to inform the organizers.
Mbabazi insisted that neither police nor the Electoral Commission have authority to stop him from the scheduled consultative meetings as these are not open campaigns but rather meant to find out if he can stand for presidency.
On arresting his supporters found in possession of his t-shirts and campaign materials, Mbabazi insisted its wrong for the state machinery to perpetrate harassment of his fans.
The former leader of government business in parliament however said his lawyers have written to police and the Electoral Commission for talks to solve the issue amicably.
"My lawyers have written to them so as to meet, solve this and they stop interfering with my meetings," Mbabazi said.
Mbabazi is Thursday expected in Mbale where he intends to consult with NRM officials and his supporters on his anticipated 2016 presidential candidature.
Gen Kayihura was in Mbale on Sunday where he briefed police commanders on Mbabazi's plans to hold what he called illegal meetings in the area.
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