Police has urged the general public to ignore threats from a group of people with intention of causing violence in the country describing them as scare mongers.
In a statement,Police spokesperson Fred Enanga said they are aware of individuals and groups from within the country and abroad, that are promoting hate, panic and fear, among Ugandans.
He said that these people are doing this through videos, audio and text messages of malicious propaganda, instructing all members of the public to stay in their homes for 3 days, from the 25th to the 27th of July, 2022, as part of their alleged campaign against inflation in the country.
“The authors of the recordings in an aggressive tone, further issue threats of attack to persons, who are against their stay-at-home orders,”said Enanga.
After the 3 days,Enanga said the group claim their alleged protests will transition, into open street demonstrations and mass uprisings, to purposely cause change in government.
He said these are illegitimate and unconstitutional, condemning the move.
“For those who can remember, similar scare tactics were used by the same individuals and political groups, in February, 2021, in the aftermath of the General Elections. However, their ill intentioned plans were rejected by the public, after realising that the authors and organizers, were rallying support for street violence and civil uprisings, for their selfish political advantages,”he said.
This time, Enanga said these people are using the surge in commodity and fuel prices to call for violence.
Many countries, including the most developed countries, are grappling with inflation as well, as they strive to return to normalcy, according to Police.
He urged Ugandans and visitors in the country, not to get swayed by the fear tactics, mongering and inflammatory rhetoric, by the selected individuals, political groups and sponsored bloggers.
“They should instead look for better ways of expressing their dissatisfaction about the economy, without fronting violence. Right now, many citizens have families to feed, have to go to work, pay taxes, children are in schools and they all deserve the right to go about their activities, without fear or intimidation,”Enanga said.
He reassured Ugandans and visitors in the country, that security remains steadfast and committed, to protecting the lives and properties of each and everyone.
” Our task teams are ready to prevent, deter, stop and prosecute all perpetrators behind these scare tactics, aimed at causing violence and civil uprisings,”he said.