Like most of you
out there, until last week, I had never heard of the Public Order Management
Act (POMA), probably because we are not politicians, lawmakers or work in law
enforcement. The POMA reads something along these lines: “The POMA does not
regard a gathering at home as a place subject to POMA unless, that meeting
spills over into a public place.” For example, section 4 (3A and 3B) states:
“For the avoidance of doubt, a public meeting convened by a group, body… at the
ordinary place of business….or any other place which is not a public place, is
not a public meeting unless the meeting spills over into a public place.”
Then there is a
man called Fred, Fred Enanga, who slogs for Uganda Police as their
spokesperson. I do feel for Fred because he has the most unenviable job in the
land – having to explain to an irate public why the police did what they did -
why they arrested so and so, used excessive force and act with impunity.
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| Does Police Spokesperson, Fred Enanga Have The Worst Job In The Land? |
It was also his brief
to tell us that police headquarters had dispensed directives to its commanders
countrywide that effective January 6th, all people holding meetings
of public interest in their homes without obtaining police permission will be
arrested for breaking the law. He said: “When you have a public gathering at
your home, it is supposed to meet the provisions of the POMA and we shall come
and police the event.”
Most people who host
gatherings at their homes host not for political reasons but, for – children’s
birthday and graduation parties,
kwanjulas and so forth. And somewhere through the function, the men will
break off, grab their plastic chairs and form circles around a couple of crates
of beer and a bottle or two of Jameson or Black Label and discuss a wide range
of topics from cars to women but more importantly, what Enanga termed as
“meetings of public interest” – and in this case, what is happening in the politics
of Uganda. If I have understood Enanga correctly, once a circle forms and
politics which, is something of public interest is discussed, police can swoop in
with tear gas, dogs and water cannons to disperse the ‘political’ gathering including
the toddlers in diapers who had turned up to attend little Martha’s 2nd
birthday party.
 |
| Was This Explanation A Cover-Up Of The POMA? |
Next weekend, I am
planning a pork fest for my boys and to err on the side of caution, I took
myself to the police station in my hood to seek permission. The conversation
with Fat Cop broke along these lines.
TB: “It’s a party to
celebrate pork.”
Fat Cop: “Are you are
asking for police to come and guard cars?”
TB: “No. I have come to
get a POMA permit.”
Fat Cop: “You are having a
political gathering?”
TB: “No. A pork fest.”
Fat Cop: “A pork fest –
what is that?”
TB: “A party to celebrate
pork but I also need a POMA because we shall also discuss matters of public
interest.”
Fat Cop: “What will you be
discussing?”
TB: “Trump, Iran, Iraq,
M7, Bobbi Wine, KCCA, Rwanda, Louis Kasekende and BoU…”
Fat Cop: “Ha, for that you
need to go to Naguru.”
With that, she
turned to castigate a handcuffed Mukasa – “But naye you Mukasa, again they have picked you…..”
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| Make Sure You Get Police Permission Before You Throw Your Kid A P7 Results Or Graduation Party |
But wait up. There
might be more to the implementation of the POMA than meets the eye. It might
have nothing to do with cracking down on political gatherings but, and wait for
it, wait for it, something to do with toilets for amusingly enough, another
reason for the POMA as Fred put it: – “it’s important to notify police because
people could be 700 yet, the home only has one toilet which can cause problems.”
Bambi, bless
Uganda Police and their concerns for our toilet welfare!
Pictures: New Vision, Daily Monitor
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