By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, has said that no internal or external group will derail government’s commitment to maintaining security and stability across the country.
Addressing journalists on the post-election situation at the Uganda Media Centre on Tuesday, Baryomunsi said Uganda’s future would continue to be determined by Ugandans themselves through constitutional and democratic processes.
“No one will destabilise Uganda. The future direction and destiny of Uganda shall continue to be determined by Ugandans themselves through constitutional and democratic processes as provided,” Baryomunsi said.
The remarks follow allegations that some opposition actors, particularly members of the National Unity Platform (NUP), were collaborating with foreign agents with the intention of destabilising the country.
“The government is aware that some political actors are collaborating with foreign agents in the hope that they can help in destabilising the country,” he alleged.
Pointing out frequent altercations between NUP supporters and security agencies during the recently concluded elections, the minister said it had become apparent that some political actors deliberately provoke the police in order to generate negative media publicity and lay the groundwork for defiance in the event of electoral defeat. He cited earlier calls for a “protest vote” as a clear indication of such intentions.
He said government would continue to enforce public order with vigilance and resolve, but cautioned security agencies to operate strictly within the law.
“Security should always respond within the law, not outside the law. Political contests do not give licence to hooliganism or disorder,” he said.
The minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Kinkiizi East, said government has a constitutional duty to protect all Ugandans and their property.
He defended the security deployment at the home of NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, saying it was intended to ensure his safety, and added that Kyagulanyi was free to move.
On the recent arrests involving NUP supporters and leaders including MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, the minister said some of those detained were individuals who sought to incite violence after candidates they supported lost in the elections, while others were criminal gangs allegedly hired by political leaders to cause unrest.
“These were largely spontaneous reactions driven by the shock of losing the elections. However, there was a second category involving criminal gangs mobilised by their leaders to turn this election period into a launchpad for unrest,” he said.
He added that suspects had been arrested and were being processed through courts of law.
Baryomunsi emphasized that government would not allow criminal gangs to destabilise the country under the guise of political activism, citing examples of countries such as Sudan, Jamaica and Madagascar, which he said had suffered instability after criminal elements overwhelmed security agencies.
“This will not happen in Uganda, and we shall not allow it. We are firm and resolute to protect Ugandans and their property,” he said.
The minister also defended the temporary Internet shutdown, saying security agencies had detected plans by some opposition actors to misuse social media platforms to incite violence during and after the elections.
“There was a detailed plan of misinformation and disinformation aimed at creating fear and anarchy across the country. These plans were disrupted by the intervention of government through the Uganda Communications Commission,” he said.
Baryomunsi warned that in many developing countries, disputed elections often degenerate into widespread disorder when criminal gangs hide behind political activism to exploit the situation.
He said government remains committed to ensuring peace, security and stability before, during and after the electoral process.
