POMA: PM Rugunda calls for ceasefire

Gov’t Promises Speedy Implementation of New POMA Regulations

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda has promised speedy implementation of the new Public Order Management Act (POMA), 2013 regulations. He said there should meanwhile be ceasefire between political parties and government security agencies.

Rugunda made the remarks on Wednesday after a meeting between secretary generals of political parties and government officials.

Discussions have been on-going in the past months. The new regulations that will guide implementation of POMA were unveiled last month.

Rugunda said that the new regulations will be tabled in parliament soon for approval and consequently implemented.

In the meantime, Rugunda said there should be ceasefire between political parties and government security agencies.

He said both sides have duties and responsibilities that can restore normalcy if followed. He said that political parties are supposed to notify police of their meetings and police is supposed to recognize receipt of notification in 48 hours.

The discussion was held under the auspices of the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD).

IPOD is an umbrella of political parties with representation in parliament. These include the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), the Democratic Party (DP) Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda Peoples’ Congress (UPC) and Justice Forum (JEEMA).

IPOD council chairperson, Gerald Siranda, who is the Secretary General of Democratic Party says political parties expect police to behave responsibly by following POMA. He warned that time for dialogue is about to end.

Political parties were irked when Inspector General of Police, Martin Okoth Ochola and his deputy Sabiti Muzeyi failed to turn up for the meeting.

The Police Legal Director, Twarahuka Erasmus showed up towards the end of the meeting to represent his bosses. He said that IGP is unwell and his deputy was in parliament.

FDC party which has clashed with the police several times was represented by Secretary General, Nandala Mafabi, Deputy Secretary-General Harold Kaija and Vice President for Eastern Uganda, Salamu Musumba.

Musumba said the party is taking Rugunda’s words with a pinch of salt for the last time.

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