We are ready for 2011 violence – police
By George Murumba
11th Oct 2010
Police boss Kayihura
A senior police officer has declared that the force is well prepared for any violence that might be caused by trouble makers during the 2011 elections.
The officer, a Senior Superintendant of Police [SSP] who spoke to Uganda Correspondent, said, “…We have anticipated and prepared adequately for the possibility of violence erupting during the 2011 elections. We know some of the trouble causers and we are following their preparations. No one will be allowed to spoil the democratic process”, he said.
According to this police officer, the preparations have taken the form of intelligence gathering, strategic recruitment, and deployment. “…No stone has been left unturned. We have recruited many new officers and deployed some informers in potential trouble spots”, the SSP said.
Opposition party leaders like UPC’s Olara Otunnu and FDC’s Kizza Besigye plus a host of other political commentators have warned of Kenyan style election violence erupting in Uganda should the 2011 elections be rigged.
In an interview published by Uganda Correspondent this week, UPC party President Dr. Olara Otunnu said, “…UPC will not accept anymore flawed elections organised by what he called the “Museveni-Kiggundu” Electoral Commission”.
He stressed that the choice facing Ugandans in 2011 is not between a boycott and a flawed election. The issue of free and fair elections must be settled once and for all.
Otunnu has also previously warned that “…the situation in Uganda is such that below a seemingly normal situation, the country is teetering on the brink of a political explosion borne of more than two decades of entrenched repression, humiliating impoverishment, staggering corruption, nepotism, repeated electoral fraud, and impunity”.
The SSP however said anyone who has any concerns about the elections not being free and fair should take his grievances to the courts law for proper determination. “…Let them take their grievances to the courts, not on the streets. If they come to the streets, we shall be waiting to deal with them harshly”, the tough talking officer warned. END. If it’s Monday, it’s Uganda Correspondent. Never miss out again!
