By J. L Andrew
UGANDA
The National Unity Platform (NUP) party consultative meetings have been temporarily suspended by the Uganda Police Force (UPF) in the wake of a tragic accident along the Kampala Masaka highway.
Three individuals lost their lives while en route to Masaka, and several others sustained injuries.
The incident took place on May 31, 2024, around 10:00 AM at St Lawrence College, Maya, along the aforementioned highway.
Two motor vehicles and four motorcycles, which were part of a motorcade accompanying NUP Leaders to Masaka for consultative activities, were involved in the accident.
The injured individuals were transported to medical facilities, the details of which are yet to be disclosed by the police.
The police spokes person, Senior Commissioner of Police, Fred Enanga emphasized that the tragic loss of innocent lives occurred due to the negligent behavior of drivers and riders who were exceeding the speed limit and disregarding the safety of other road users.
In an official statement, he highlighted that despite a meeting between the police leadership and the party leadership at Police Headquarters on May 27, 2024, where they reached an agreement on the conduct of consultative meetings, NUP chose to ignore the agreed position and persistently acted with impunity, as evidenced by the regrettable incident at Maya on May 31st.
“As the government Agency mandated to protect life and property, keep law and order, the police management has decided to halt any further consultative activities of NUP as a party with immediate effect until this matter is conclusively investigated and resolved,” Enanga said.
The authorities urged the community to stay alert and uphold the rule of law.
“Whoever acts contrary to public order and safety shall be held accountable under the laws of Uganda. The safety of Ugandans will always remain our priority,” he added.