Last week started with Ugandans being cautioned as well.as reassured by security forces that no one would disrupt the day-to-day life of the ordinary citizen. A statement issued on Monday by the Uganda Police Force indicated that Joint Security Agencies were aware of individuals and groups, from within the country and abroad who were promoting hate, panic and fear, among Ugandans and visitors in the country, through videos, audio and text messages instructing all members of the public to stay in their homes for 3 days, from the 25th to the 27th of July 2022.
According to the police statement, this was a malicious propaganda campaign masked as a campaign against inflation in the country.
Police indicated that the authors of the recordings “in an aggressive tone, further issue threats of attack to persons, who are against their stay-at-home orders. After the 3 days, they claim their alleged protests will transition, into open street demonstrations and mass uprisings, to purposely cause change in government.
They called the attempts illegitimate and unconstitutional means.
Police reminded Ugandans of similar scare tactics that 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 realizing that the authors and organizers, were rallying support for street violence and civil uprisings, for their selfish political advantages. This time, they 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,” the police statement issued on Monday read.
They urged all 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.
“As the Joint Security Agencies, we want to reassure all Ugandans and visitors in the country, that we remain 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,” police noted.
Meanwhile the new Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao on Wednesday took oath of allegiance and received instruments of office at State House Entebbe, a function presided over by President Museveni. The two are former political adversaries as Mao sought to democratically unseat Museveni in two unsuccessful presidential elections. The two leaders signed a cooperation agreement a day before Mao was announced the new Minister of Justice.
Uganda is seeking Russian assistance to develop East Africa’s first nuclear power plant and expand its space-research capabilities. This was announced by President Yoweri Museveni who last Tuesday hosted and held talks with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was on a four-nation tour of Africa.
According to the President, Uganda has a lot of uranium, essential for power generation and for biotechnology. “We have talked of cooperating in space, space science; Uganda would like a small satellite to see what is happening around the globe, then nuclear energy,” Mr Museveni told journalists in Entebbe. Uganda announced in May the acquisition of land for the construction of a nuclear-power plant.
Last week ended on a rather sad note as more than 10 people were reported dead after heavy rains triggered flooding and landslides on the slopes of Mountain Elgon in Bugisu and Sebei sub-regions in Eastern Uganda. The floods ravaged several areas in Mbale city, washing away some homes, vehicles, crops and damaging bridges.
