NUP nationwide tour vulnerable to terror attacks – police

Uganda Police has warned leaders of the National Unity Platform (NUP), headed by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, that their ongoing mobilization tours around Uganda will most likely attract terrorists to attack the country.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said this Monday morning while addressing journalists at Police headquarters in Naguru. On Monday, NUP leaders continued with their tours in Hoima district until today in Kiboga.

Two weeks back, NUP and Bobi Wine started their nationwide tour aimed at mobilizing supporters and opening party offices in different districts.

However, as the party continues its tours, Police have warned that their manner of organizing rallies is vulnerable to the country’s security.

“But we want to continue to appeal to the NUP leadership to hold very safe and secure mobilization activities. You are aware that some of these mobilization activities and opening up of party offices are being carried out amidst threatening environments.

Of course, some of our credible sources of intelligence indicate that there is vulnerability. These tours are vulnerable, especially in the manner that they are conducted,” said Fred Enanga.

Enanga noted that whereas police may not stop the tours, the nature of political mobilization where a convoy is moving at a snail’s pace, with congestion and too much traffic, can attract terrorists.

According to Enanga, traffic on the road is highly disrupted. There is always congestion which has been built, some of the party leaders are using local and untrained guards and these are not highly skilled, Enanga said.

He explained that some of the leaders’ posture at the top of their motor vehicles amidst thousands of supporters and this can make them attractive to soft targets for terrorists.

The warning comes in the wake of six Improvised Explosive Devices which were recovered in several parts of the city a week ago by security.

As many continue to allege that police are trying to stop NUP’s mobilization tours, Enanga says the claims of seeking to stop Kyagulanyi and his team are untrue.

“Of course whenever we come out to guide some of these political leaders, their bloggers and propagandists always come out. Like even in this case, they are going to come out strongly in response to this soft message that we have given to the NUP leadership.

This is not anything to do with the crackdown of political activities, but we need to see the NUP leadership safe and secure as they conduct their tours,” he added.

Previously, Kyagulanyi had halted his tour in Western Uganda and returned to Kampala after reports emerged that his life was in danger. The tours later resumed and are now entering the third week.

Whereas there have been some incidents of confrontation between Kyagulanyi and his supporters, these have been minimal. It remains to be seen whether Kyagulanyi and his team will adhere to the police advice.