The leadership of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party has appealed to the government to clarify its intentions regarding the heavy security deployment and searches being conducted on the streets of Kampala.
While addressing the press at the party headquarters at Katonga Road in Kampala Dr. Lulume Bayiga, the PFF deputy president in charge of Buganda, the citizenry should clearly understand the intentions behind security deployments and get involved where necessary.
Lulume said that whereas it’s good to tighten security on streets, unexplained heavy security deployment creates panic and fear among the public.
“As PFF, we respect the duty of the government to keep the country safe. However, we deserve the right to know the purpose of the heavy military deployment. What are they looking for exactly? Stopping vehicles causes unnecessary traffic congestion and anxiety. Could there be a preparation for an internal Conflict?” Lulume asked.
Lulume also condemned the alleged forced evictions of the street vendors without a clear plan for their resettlement, adding that some vendors pay taxes which contributed to the country’s development.
“We respect the responsibility of local governments to have trade order and to organize communities. But we must also be sensitive to the fact that these hard-working people work to earn a living,” Lulume said.
However, in response to Lulume’s concern, Minsa Kabanda the Minister for Kampala said that the crackdown is part of a broader, long-term initiative to modernise Kampala, including a smart city agenda that requires freeing up public spaces.
Concerning the heavy security deployment on the Kampala streets, security leaders have revealed that heavy deployments are proactive measures necessary to maintain order, prevent crime, and avert violence.