The opposition Democratic Party, DP says the move by the Inspector General of police to block the swearing in of KCCA political leaders is a laughable and a self vote of no confidence in the police force that it cannot do its work.
Speaking to the media in Kampala today, Paul Kenneth Kakande, the party publicity secretary said business cannot come to a stand-still in the country, just because Mr. Museveni is hosting some foreign leaders.
He says the swearing in ceremony of the Lord mayor, division mayors and councilors is a celebration of democracy not some terrorist meeting.
“The swearing in of elected leaders is not a security threat to the country. On the contrary, is a manifestation of the existence of the will of the people to elect their leaders. It is a celebration of democracy of sorts, you don’t need teargas, you don’t need 500 policemen, not even 100 because the people are in a celebrating mood,” argued Kakakande.
His anger is drawn from a letter written to the KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi by the IGP, Gen. Kale Kayihura, asking her to stay the swearing in of Erias Lukwago as Lord Mayor until next week, claiming the police force does not have enough officers to cover three events including the visiting Turkish president, and Friday’s Martyrs’ day celebrations at Namugongo Catholic and Protestant shrines.
Kakande says the country has hosted important people in the past, but such impunity as the closing of the Entebbe high way for a week was never witnessed before.
He added; “We are wondering what has changed because the country has in the past hosted more serious or equally important visitor before and this harassment was never witnessed. Last year the country hosted his Holiness Pope Francis and the story was different.”