The Minister of Gender, Labor and Social Development, Frank Tumwebaze has called on the police to stop giving opposition politicians media mileage by harassing them through arrests and teargass.
Tumwebaze’s appeal is contained in a tweet he made on Monday saying the law enforcement body should find another policy of handling them instead of altercations.
“But @PoliceUg what if u left those political actors? U are making them big issues when they aren’t & undue advantage of sympathy. They enjoy it. Their game is to keep u in those altercations as they enjoy unceasing media attention..Get another policing option PLZ!” Tumwebaze tweeted.
His tweet followed reports that opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate, Patrick Oboi Amuriat and his supporters were teargassed in Jinja City.
It also comes at the start of presidential campaigns which are expected to go until January when Ugandans go to the polls to choose their next set of leaders.
Amuriat’s supporters had gathered along the highway to cheer him on as he headed further east to begin his campaign.
Last week, police arrested presidential candidate Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert aka Bobi Wine, moments after his nomination to run for the high office, an act that drew condemnation on police.
Health ministry guidelines discourage the politicians from drawing crowds, and to only address a maximum of 70 people.