Let’s be clear, the misuse of certain laws and pattern of injustice have been rampant and grown over the years. If your an opposition leader and not in the good graces of the law. You will meet it and share custody with chicken thieves and common con-men. That is the nature of politics in Uganda. There are not a long level from driving a fancy SUV to be undetermined as a criminal politician in the Republic.
The usage of certain laws is staggering. The Penal Code and the Public Order Management Act (POMA). Recently, they have added to more things to equation that is getting on my nerve. They are misusing it and blatantly disregard of people’s way of expression. The POMA are used to silence possible demonstrations and political rallies the authorities doesn’t like, as the Anti-Besigye Act it is.
However, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Security Operatives of the regime, have taken it up a notch with misuse of two other types of charges. I am not talking about treason, that has been used against the regarded rising stars of the opposition and the ones who light a spark within the community. Leaders who makes the President and his party looks like little begging children.
The one I first want to mention is the “Preventative Arrest”. The one used against leaders, activists and random people, who can suddenly be taken by the Security Organizations as Police, ISO, CMI, Special Force Command or soldiers. Because they have to take them for any sort of reason, as they can cause damage. They can damage a nerve in the head of the President or make his wife loose her cool. Who knows, but they are preventing something, as the Leopards Anus is afraid they might stir a hissy-fit and create ruckus in the middle of Nile Avenue. Who knows really right? Because anyone from everywhere can be charged with this one. Even a teacher spelling out the words M-P-I-G-S. Can be arrested for these reasons, as they are preventing further crimes.
I am sure they are using the Police Act of 1994 subsection 24. to justify the use of Preventative Arrests, which states that a Police Officer can arrest someone as a preventive action. However, that does not defend the usage of it, as the ones taken has not caused harm, made issues against human decency in a public space nor caused harm to kids or vulnerable people. Therefore, the Security Organizations should stop using this measure, unless they want to be an extended arm of the tyranny.
The second one I have to mention is the “Inciting Violence”, which goes to journalists, activists, TV-Shows, Members of Parliament, Opposition Leaders and anyone who has the capacity to bring more than people together in a crowded street. This is surely a charge that has been misused. The amounts must be at a level, where the fools becomes Einstein and the Police Officers can arrest anyone for this. If they are screaming “Besigye” or just being at a function as a leader. Than, your can be charged with this.
I am sure they are using the Penal Code of 1950 subsection 83 to justify the use of Inciting Violence. Where they use 83 (1), which says: “Any person who incites any other person to do an act of violence against any person by reason of his or her race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex or office commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years”. I am sure they are using the charge as someone who express their political opinion and does so in regard of the opposition and not the NRM.
That is why I am tired of this use. As they continue to misuse both of them. NRM are really using this combined with the Security Organization to control the public and stop the public from engaging politically.
The Authorities are making people criminal, they are making political active and leadership into con-men. Therefore, they are finding and pinning these charges on anyone who stands out or are active in the manner of opposition politics. If they are voices in rallies, demonstrations or even consultation meetings.
This is just showing how indifference and how they are misusing the power and blocking people from attending or being part of political landscape. Peace.