KAMPALA – The Police in Kampala on Friday obstructed a press briefing, which four human rights organisations had arranged to talk about the wave of abductions in the country.
The presser’s organisers and journalists had gathered at 4R Restaurant at Centenary Park in Kampala, but police arrived a minutes before its scheduled time – insisting the gathering was illegal. Plain-clothed and uniformed police asked the restaurant manager and organisers to cancel the press conference, claiming they were unaware of such a gathering.
Police further asked the journalists to leave the area before it took further action.
“Personally, as an individual, I like you people and I have always interacted with a number of you, but what I don’t want is.
“This thing, according to the intelligence network, was not sanctioned by the IGP, so we don’t know why this gathering is here. So with due respect, I make a request to you, to pick up your machines, and move, away,” said an officer.
Ronald Katushabe, one of the organisers, said four Human rights organisations including; African Justice Media, Rubaga Social Justice Centre, the African Libertarian Union, and the Human Rights Defenders’ Union had joined efforts to voice their concerns over the new trend of abductions. He said that they are against the kidnaps and detention of people without trial.
Kampala Metropolitan Spokesperson – Patrick Onyango denied knowledge of such an action.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa on Tuesday forwarded Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake to the House’s Committee on Rules, Privileges, and Discipline for disciplinary action over what he described as misconduct.
Zaake had refused to sit down when asked by Tayebwa and continued to raise his voice after he rose on a matter of national importance concerning the recent arrests of a Muslim Cleric Sheikh Yahya Ramathan Mwanje and former presidential candidate Joseph Kabuleta as well as opposition figures.
Additional reporting by URN
