Police names Bobi Wine protests’ ring leaders

Uganda Police Force (UPF) and sister security agencies have begun a hunt for 300 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters listed as ring leaders of city protests that followed the arrest of presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga told reporters in Kampala on November 20 that “the violent demonstrations were being coordinated by a group of three hundred (300) ring leaders who were actively coordinating the distribution of tyres to their flash points and hotspots, using motor vehicles and Boda bodas.”

While police has already arrested some, hundreds are still on the run.

Enanga listed some of the city protests’ ring leaders as:

1. Nkedi Malingolingo – contesting for councillorship in Nansana Municipality.
2. Ashraf Machete, the commander freedom bodabodas who are about 50 in number
3. Nusfa Nakato, a candidate for councilor seat at KCCA
4. Saul Kulya – KCCA councilor Kawempe North
5. Rodha alias Maama Kampala mobilizer for NUP cells in Bwaise and Kyebando
6. Thomas Bagonza, the NUP candidate for councilor seat Bwaise II in Kawempe
7. Mathias Walukagga, mobilizing in Busoga Region

Police has also put the death toll from protests at 28.

Meanwhile, Enanga has warned against inciting violence on ethnic grounds.

The police has tasked it’s cyber crimes unit to monitor social media channels and apprehend those stoking flames of violence.

“Those who continue to encourage rioting and threaten individuals on account of their tribes and beliefs etc, across Facebook posts, Twitter, Instagram and Whatsapp will be attended to by our cybercrime teams,” Enanga warned.

Enanga also sounded a warning against those targeting pro-government Ugandans.

“What we have seen in the last two days i.e., the violence, vandalism looting, intimidation and threats, are crimes that were being committed targeting people who are not pro-NUP and also against people’s property. This is something that we shall not tolerate.”