By Joan Pounds
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga has warned that former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi must seek approval of the ruling NRM party before starting his countrywide consultative meetings, Rwenzori Times reports.
In response to Mbabazi’s letter about district consultation meetings scheduled to start in July, the Electoral Commission last week urged the presidential hopeful to follow the laid down legal framework.
Quoting Section 3 of the Presidential Elections Act, Enanga said the former leader of government business must decide in what capacity he is set to carry out the consultations, adding that this must be known by the security agencies.
If Mbabazi is to stand on the card of the party (NRM) or as an independent, it should be known. If he is to stand as the political party’s flag-bearer, he then needs to seek clearance from them before starting the consultative meetings,” Enanga warned.
He must be aware of the Public Order Management Act that requires him to write to the Inspector General of Police early enough requesting for permission on top of notifying the LC and police of the area before conducting the meetings.”
The controversial Public Order Management Act was seen by many as a brainchild of Mbabazi and could be used to curtail what President Museveni described as “premature electioneering” of the former Prime Minister.
Mbabazi last week wrote to the EC saying his consultations would kick off on July 9 in Mbale and that the trips were in accordance with Section 3 of the Presidential Elections Act [2005].
He went ahead to list 25 venues in which he will be conducting nationwide consultations with his supporters to prepare for his nomination for the highest political seat in the land.
In a letter dated June 18, EC chairman Badru Kiggundu responded to Mbabazi: “Please be guided that while conducting your consultations the same should be distinguished from distribution of campaign materials, campaign, holding rallies and mass meetings as well as canvassing for votes envisaged under section 21 and 24 of part 5 of the Presidential elections Act.”
Kiggundu further stated that, “The foregoing activities, for purposes of parity and levelling the ground for the election, can only be conducted upon satisfying the provision of part IV of the above Act, in regard to nominations as candidates for the said election.”
On Friday, Attorney General, Freddie Ruhindi said Mbabazi has a right to carry out consultations but that he must follow other relevant laws especially Public Order Management Act (POMA).
But Mbabazi’s lawyers who include Fred Muwema wrote to the EC, saying, “An aspirant may consult in preparation for his or her nomination as a presidential candidate before the nomination date.”
They further quoted the presidential Elections Act which states that, “while consulting under subsection (1), a presidential aspirant may carry our nationwide consultations, prepare his or her manifesto and other campaign materials; raise funds for his campaign through lawful means and convene meetings of National Delegates.
The lawyers added: “From the above, it is clear that it is not a crime under Ugandan law for one to be or promote his Presidential Aspiration.”
Police warn Mbabazi
According to Enanga, who quoted the Presidential Elections Act, any individual going for consultative meetings should desist from organizing public meetings which attract big numbers of people and avoid dishing out campaign materials such t-shirts and posters among others.
“It must be different from canvassing for votes and following the directives by the party if he is to go through it. He must follow what the law says before starting the meetings,” Enanga emphasised.
The latest development could see police lock horns with Mbabazi and his supporters.
When tasked to explain the arrest of Mbabazi supporters throughout the country, the police mouthpiece accepted that they had apprehended over 30 people for early campaigns but that “we don’t know if they were Mbabazi supporters.”
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