The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has announced the postponement of its mobilization campaign in Mityana District, which was scheduled for Tuesday next week.
The party made the decision to allow its members to mourn with the families of three individuals who perished in an accident that involved two vehicles and four motorcycles on Friday at St. Lawrence College, Maya, along Kampala Masaka Highway.
The vehicles and motorcycles (Toyota Hiace, registration number UBQ 691Q) Toyota Noah, registration number UAT 157A
Motorcycles: UFY 983T, UGC 381C (BAJAJ BOXER), UEJ 361D (BAJAJ), and UFY 465Y (BAJAJ BOXER RED) were part of a motorcade in a procession of NUP leaders heading to Masaka for consultative activities.
According to the police, the accident was caused by the recklessness of the drivers and riders, who were driving at an excessive speed without regard for other road users.
However, according to NUP, the accident happened after its convoy had left the scene.
“We challenge the police to conduct efficient, independent, and expeditious investigations to establish the cause of the accident,” reads the party statement in part.
Following the unfortunate incident, police announced that all NUP mobilization activities had been banned.
“As the government agency mandated to protect life and property and keep law and order, the police management has decided to halt any further consultative activities of the NUP as a party with immediate effect until this matter is conclusively investigated and resolved.”
In response, NUP accused the police of playing partisan politics.
“We have seen the police statement in which Mr. Fred Enanga yet again announced another illegal, blanket ban on our activities, like they have regularly done. While we undertake to enforce greater discipline and responsibility in our activities, we take a strong exception to the partisan, illegal statement by the police. Regrettably, they continue to act in a clearly partisan manner. Just yesterday, we saw activities, including processions, being conducted by other political groups leaning toward the NRM.”
“We have repeatedly asked them why they continue to target NUP! We have seen many road accidents happen before or after events for other political groups. The police never come out to issue blanket bans on their subsequent events. Police say the driver of the car that caused the accident fled the scene. We hope they will trace this person, conduct thorough investigations on the cause of the accident, and bring the culprits to book instead of finding a convenient excuse to yet again halt our activities,” said NUP in a statement.