Security Warns of Consequences for Parallel Swearing in Activities

Security agencies have warned any judicial officer, organizer or media house that will participate in covering the illegitimate parallel swearing-in in Iganga or any other place to be ready for the consequences.

The Joint Security Task Force has warned against any planned parallel swearing-in ceremony by opposition politicians, saying it is illegal and treasonous.

Without mentioning names, the Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, said they have received intelligence information that one of the former presidential candidates was planning to hold an illegitimate swearing-in ceremony.

“The joint task force is aware of plans by former presidential candidate, who lost the recent presidential election, to hold a parallel and illegitimate swearing-in ceremony in one of the hotels in Iganga,” Enanga noted.

Although Enanga did not mention anyone, the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader, who is also the Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Robert Kyagulanyi has time and again claimed that he won the January presidential elections.

After elections, however, the Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, announced President Museveni the winner of the presidential elections with 58%, beating his other 10 contenders.

Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine came second with 35%. The legislator contested the results in court, but he later withdrew the case.

Other candidates were; Nobert Mao (Democratic Party), Patrick Amuriat Oboi (Forum for Democratic Change) and Gen. Mugisha Muntu (Alliance for National Transformation).

Others including; Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Joseph Kabuleta, Nancy Kalembe, Willy Mayambala, John Katumba, and Fred Mwesigye stood as independents.

Enanga said the candidate continues together with some of his supporters to declare himself as the President-elect.

“We want to remind him and his supporters that the voices of the electorate were clearly heard. He is, therefore, not the legitimate or duly elected President of the people of Uganda. As a potential leader, we urge him to play his politics with full respect for the rule of law,” Enanga observed.

The police publicist said the joint security task force was aware that such Kangaroo inaugurations were not uncommon with runners-up in the previous presidential elections.

“It simply remains symbolic without the accompanying entitlements and privileges of a legitimate Head of State. Therefore, any judicial officer, organizer or media house that will participate in covering the illegitimate parallel swearing-in in Iganga or any other place should prepare to face the consequences. Such acts of impunity must stop in exchange for rule of law. It is illegal and treasonous,” Enanga concluded.