SINCE the year began, Kampala's central business district has been a hub of riots, leading to loss of property and sometimes lives.

The most recent one, the nasty April 12 demonstration protesting the planned giveaway of Mabira Forest to Mehta family to grow sugarcane, claimed five lives.

Late last year and again last week, Kampala Central Division chairman Godfrey Nyakana announced that he had banned political processions and rallies in the Central Business District (CBD). He said this was to avoid dispruting businesses and ensure security.

"We cannot tolerate losing lives and property at the expense of having demonstrations in the city. As the political head of Central Division and on behalf of the government, I'm banning demonstrations in areas of my jurisdiction," Mr Nyakana decreed.

In the recent past, Riot Police have crashed similar demonstrations including one staged by opposition FDC to protest the re-arrest of six People Redemption Army (PRA) suspects at the High Court.

Justifications

The incident led to a week long suspension of court activities across the country. Earlier, the police had dispersed FDC's planned party card launch and the DP's attempt to release the controversial report into the murder of former energy minister Andrew Kayiira.

Police said they broke up the rallies because they would disrupt business in the CBD. The public, however, wondered why a similar DP gathering to pay respects to Kayiira in Masuulita in Wakiso was dispersed.

Mr Nyakana said demonstrations and other public gatherings would only be allowed if organized in Mandela National Stadium - Namboole, Nakivubo and Lugogo indoor stadium.

Mr Nyakana said he took that stance because a number of demonstrations in the city had been politicised and therefore lacked focus. He cited the Mabira demo, which he said was originally noble but he said political opportunists hijacked it.

"Under my reign, we shall not allow such in the business zone for their [opposition] selfish interests," Mr Nyakana said.

Mr Nyakana who succeeded DP's Charles Musoke Sserunjogi last year subscribes to the ruling NRM.

However, a number of opposition politicians have vowed to defy the directive, saying Mr Nyakana has no authority whatsoever to ban any form of expression in the city.

"It unfortunate that even low ranking officers in the current regime are using the broken down rule of law to pursue individual interests. Who is Nyakana to ban demonstrations in Kampala? That is absolutely nonsense," Justice Forum President, Muhammad Kibirige Mayanja said.

"He has no moral authority and legal backing to do that and we are ready to take him head on with him."

DP Legal Adviser and Kampala Central MP Erias Lukwago maintains that the CBD is part of his constituency and barring him from staging rallies there would tantamount to blocking him from reaching out to his electorate.

Lukwago to defy

"Mr Nyakana must know his limits. CBD is part of my constituency as is State House.

And stopping me from holding rallies in Central Division is jeopardising the execution of my duties as an MP," Mr Lukwago, who has previously clashed with Mr Nyakana over holding rallies in the city centre told Daily Monitor.

"I remind Mr Nyakana that this is my area and I will continue calling meetings come what may."

Pundits say Mr Nyakana's dream can only be realised when the division council passes a by-law barring processions and political rallies in the city.

Mr Nyakana, however, says the Local Government Act empowers him as the political head to make such decisions.

"Apart from the powers entrusted to me by the Act, the central division executive also passed a resolution to that effect," he said.

Last year, Mr Nyakaana banned political rallies at the Constitution Square and President Museveni backed him saying the square is a 'farm' for businessmen and warned the opposition against provoking the government through 'unwarranted rallies' And this seems to have worked.

Not even Janet

The President said even his wife Janet had wanted to convene a meeting for Pentecostals at the square last year but police advised her to go to Kololo.

However, Mr Nyakana's directive runs counter to the constitutional right to demonstrate and assemble. Article 29(d&e) of the 1995 constitution stipulates that every person shall have the right to 'assemble and demonstrate together with others peacefully...'

Mr Kibirige said they were ready to organise even more processions if the government fails to restore what they describe as total breakdown of the rule of law.

Mr Nyakana, it appears is following in the footsteps of President Museveni who, after the Mabira demo, said the government was considering gazzetting parks for public demonstrations.

Kampala Extra police publicist Simeo Nsubuga said early this week the force was tired of engaging in endless street battles with demonstrators and asked the opposition to give the force a break.

Since October 2005 when Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura took office, his tenure has been a riotous one. During his time, police has quelled numerous riots, mostly staged by the opposition and in all these teargas has been used to the maximum.

Maj. Gen. Kayihura has repeatedly said he regrets the continued use of teargas to disperse unruly crowds, saying he has been on the forefront of discouraging it.

President Museveni has, however, backed the use of the irritant substance to control opposition crowds.

"This is not something to worry you. It only itches for a small time and someone becomes normal again," he said.

Last week, a strange club and stick wielding group of men, now baptised the 'kiboko Squad', burst on to the scene and clobbered demonstrators.

It is not yet clear how the men grouped and emerged out of the central police station to beat up opposition supporters protesting the arrest of two MPs who led the Mabira demo, turned riot.

The press captured the men beating up wanainchi as the police looked on. Police have, however, denied any relationship with the rag tag group that has been roundly condemned.