Deputy spokesperson of Uganda Police Force Polly Namaye Bagambaki has issued a statement following the foiled LGBTI Pride event that was scheduled for 4th August, 2016 at Club Venon located along Ggaba road, Uganda.
According to the Statement issued Saturday, the Honourable Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity Father Simon Lokodo and officers from the Uganda Police Force held a meeting with the organisers of the Pride Event.
“The purpose of the meeting was to create a platform for dialogue with the organisers, as well as to caution them against planning public events without duly giving notice to relevant security departments tasked with ensuring the safety of the people in such a jurisdiction,” the statement reads in part.
Police reveals that the invited guests to the event came from different countries including America, Congo and Uganda.
“In attendance, there were close to one thousand(1000) people. As per the provisions of the Public Management Act(sections 3,4, & 5) such an event would require that the organisers notify the Police within the specified period for purposes of security of those in attendance as well as other members of the public who may be affected directly or indirectly by the event,”
Confirming the number of detainees reported earlier , Police says Sixteen people were taken in into the Police station at Kabalagala, and information obtained from them was entered into the Police records for purposes of deterrence.
“They were then let to go away from the station accampaigned by their lawyer Counsel Nicholas Opio. However on behalf of their fellow organisers, they were cautioned against further engaging into public activities without working closely with security, since this could jeopardise and put to risk the lives and properties of the people,”
Else Where, the US Embassy in Uganda on Friday released a statement criticizing police actions which it says were adding to the growing list of reports of its brutality.
The US ambassador Mrs Deborah Malac termed the raid as unacceptable and deeply troubling.
Police says that the purpose of this statement is to reaffirm the commitment of the Uganda Police Force towards protection of human rights for all, and observance of the laws of Uganda as a democracy.
“We also wish to dispel all misinformation surrounding the incident, and to call for cooperation with the Police Force so as to avoid being in collision with the laws,” Polly Namaye wrote in conclusion.
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