Cardinal Wamala wants public order law repealed

Mpigi- Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala has called for a repeal of the Public Order Management Act, saying the police are using it to torture Ugandans.
“Police have used this Act to torture religious leaders, politicians, journalists, civil society organisations, and all the people in this country,” Cardinal Wamala said on Sunday during an event to mark the 49th World Communications Day in Mpigi District.

The retired archbishop added: “This country belongs to all of us. We do not expect some people to be tortured just because they have divergent political views.”

The deputy police spokesperson, Ms Polly Namaye, however, said people should not fault the police for implementing the law.

“[The] Public Order Management law was made for all Ugandans. It governs all members but not a few in a society. Uganda Police Force is a law enforcer but not a lawmaker. People should not blame us,” she said.

Cardinal Wamala said the Act not only frustrates freedom of the press and expression but also suffocates democracy.

Last week, the police used this law to block an Opposition gathering at Nsambya Sharing Hall in Kampala.

Police said Mr Erias Lukwago, the Lord Mayor of Kampala, and Dr Kizza Besigye, the former president of FDC, had not notified them about the event.
The gathering was meant to seek citizen’s views about electoral reforms.

The World Communications Day is celebrated by the Catholic Church annually on the Sunday before Pentecost, which was marked on May 17 this year.