The National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu aka Bobi Wine has urged his supporters to defend and protect all citizens who are being brutalised by security forces for holding the country’s national flag.
“I have strongly urged all citizens of good conscience who may see any person being attacked by anybody for carrying the Flag to rush to the defence of that victim using any proportionate means available to them” Bobi Wine said.
Bobi Wine noted that even though their campaign remains peaceful, the country’s constitution permits any Ugandan to defend a person carrying the Uganda flag from assault.
“Our struggle remains non-violent, but there is no dignity in taking an unfair beating lying down if we can defend ourselves against it. In any case, the Constitution of Uganda – that document that streamlines how a State should relate with its subjects – permits us to take any action necessary in its defence” he said.
Bobi Wine made the remarks on Thursday evening during his end of year national address at the NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule.
This follows recent warnings from police and government officials on the use of the flag during campaigns by members of the opposition.
“State institutions like the police, the military, and the Electoral Commission itself, which should protect the Constitution and the people, chose instead to serve the interests of the regime. Instead of upholding the law fairly, they chose to selectively apply it against the people asking for a better country” he said.
Bobi Wine further condemned the security organs alleged abandonment of their legal mandates and hide behind directives outside the law.
“No individual or institution has the authority to override our Constitution. When the Electoral Commission, Police, or any other institution issues guidelines that contradict the law, we must firmly reject those guidelines for being illegal,” he said.
Recently, Uganda Police Spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke warned that the use of the Uganda national flag is regulated under the National Flag and Armorial Ensigns Act and that anyone wishing to use it must first obtain permission from the minister of justice and constitutional affairs.
“The law specifically prohibits any person from using the national flag or armorial ensigns in a way that may mislead the public into believing such use is officially authorised, without the minister’s consent,” he said.
Security forces have in recent weeks been seen brutalising supporters of the National Unity Platform for carrying the Uganda flag during their campaign rallies.
