Uganda Police Force has pledged to provide security to the newly formed political party Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) founded by former Forum for Democratic Change Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, as they hold the party’s promoter meeting as well its launch scheduled for May 21-22, 2019 respectively. This was followed by a call by Police to other political parties to emulate ANT’s gesture to involve Police to provide them security.
ANT formally notified Police of their plans to hold their respective meetings and to officially launch the Party at Serena Conference Center on May 22.
According to the Statement issued on May 13, 2019 and signed by the Force’s spokesperson Fred Enanga, Police also encourages other political parties and event organizers to always work with it in order to have peaceful events.
“The police welcomes and encourages all individuals and organizations from any political affiliation that are willing to peacefully engage in their events to partner with it and jointly work within the provisions of the law”, reads part of the statement.
Some Opposition political parties have in the past accused Police of blocking their meetings and political rallies.
In response, Police says these political parties do not follow security guidelines and the Public Order Management Act.
“We would like to praise the efforts of the organizers, for their peaceful engagement, towards addressing, their outstanding political issues, in a sincere, mature and sustained manner,” reads the statement.
The Police and ANT had prior held consultations on how to effectively ensure safety of the participants, and how to manage minimal disruptions of other road users near the venues.
ANT was formed by Gen. Mugisha Muntu after the election of Patrick Amuriat split the FDC into two camps, one that supports violence- based defiance (supported by Amuriat) and non-violent capacity building (supported by Muntu).
In September 2018, Muntu quit FDC party and announced he would form a new political party.
The Party’s mission is to build grass-root party structures and encourage members to run for parliamentary seats and in local elections.
In March 2019, the Electoral Commission approved the registration of the party, opening way for gazetting, mobilizing and eventual opening of party offices.
