We Have Not Banned Meetings in Homes, Police Scoffs at Allegations

The Uganda Police has rubbished reports that it has banned meetings that happen in people’s homes.

Police said all public meetings conducted in private homes should adhere to the effectiveness of the public order management act.

Addressing the media on Monday at the police headquarters, Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said that the the public misinterpreted his information. He said public meetings held in homes will be regulated according to the public order management act but not all meetings in homes. 

“Many private places including homes become public places when public meetings are held there, and we didn’t say we are banning we said we have noted that these public meetings are being conducted in private homes yet they are supposed to be regulated under the provision of public order management act,” he said.

He said it is always important not to remain sensational and urged journalists to refrain from misinterpreting information. He also stressed that politicians who hold public meetings in private homes are required to abide by the Public Order Management Bill. 

He also mentioned that people entertain over 700 people in homes that have one toilet and no equipment to protect people in case of an attack.

Enanga said police will only police events that happen in private homes as long as they are of public interest. 

“We came out and pointed out that there are a number of political and non-political actors and groups taking public meetings in homes. We didn’t say kwanjula meetings any such like meetings.” he said. 

Enanga emphasised that private homes become public places when public meetings are held there therefore the force  will continue to  police any public meetings that happen in private homes.

Regarding the consultative meetings of all presidential aspirants, he said the force has resolved with Bobi wine. He said the force will be policing all the activities in the People Power consultative road map.

“It was resolved that all presidential aspirants should conduct the conductive meetings in accordance to the public order management act,” he said