By Nasser Kasozi Akandwanaho
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has with emphasis issued a warning to those drumming messages of confusion aiming to disrupt the swearing ceremony of the president elect Yoweri Kaguta Museveni come May 12th at Kololo Grounds.
According to the army Spokesperson, Brig. Flavia Byekwaso, there is credible information about a section of Ugandans planning to disrupt the swearing-in ceremony of the president elect and that UPDF is ready to handle a group that is allegedly preparing to disrupt President Yoweri Museveni’s inauguration for the 6th elective presidential term.
“I would like to bring to your attention the continued hate speech by a section of individuals through the help of foreigners; they think they can stop the swearing-in of President Museveni,” Said Byekwaso.
Byekwaso further said that, security agencies have confiscated posters with words of hate speech that incites violence to the members of the public, she said the confiscated posters are part of the materials the protestors want to use.
“The Posters circulating in the city have words like; Tajja kulayila [He won’t swear-in], n’omuganda afugeko [It is a Muganda’s turn to lead]’, “Nga 1st May, kusiiba tugobe abahiima [May 1st is a day of fasting so we can chase the Bahima out of power],” Byekwaso said.
Byekwaso however warned that anyone planning this will be dealt with accordingly and will have a great experience to tell his or her ancestors.
“Any person who stands in the path of peace and stability of the country becomes an enemy, and shall therefore be dealt with decisively,” Byekwaso said.
Asked whether security has yet made any arrests, the army spokesperson said whereas no one has been arrested, they are closely following up leads and that soon they will take action.
President Yoweri Museveni who won the disputed January 14, 2021 election with slightly above six million votes against his main challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu’s 3.6 million votes, is scheduled to be sworn-in as president on May 12 for a new five-year term.
Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, has consistently disputed Museveni’s re-election, and has made calls for protests “to reclaim his victory.” The pop music star recently released a votes tally by National Unity Platform (NUP) claiming to have won the elections by 54.1 percent.
