Kampala metropolitan police commander Haruna Isabirye has vowed to arrest and detain John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, his wife Jacqueline Mbabazi and members of the NRM Poor youth if they hold what he termed as “illegal and unsanctioned city Marathon by police” slated for March 23, 2015.

Ex Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and Wife Jacqueline Mbabazi
Ex Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and Wife Jacqueline Mbabazi

Haruna Isabirye made the remarks on Friday evening while addressing the media at Kampala central police station.

He said that police have learnt of a group of unscrupulous people who are organizing a run dubbed “Poor Youth marathon”

Mbabazi and wife are expected to be the chief runners of the day.

According to marathon organizers the NRM poor youth who are also pro Mbabazi, the marathon is set to attract thousands of youths across the country and its on this day that Mbabazi will be requested to make his presidential bid public.

An inside source within the organizing committee also told Red Pepper online that the invitation to participate in the marathon was also extended to the American Ambassador to Uganda Scot Delis who is also expected to participate with other Embassy workers.

The source further noted that the marathon is part of their efforts to popularize Amama’s presidential bid ahead of 2016 general polls.

He added that they are expecting magnitudes of people to participate in the marathon in and around Kampala.

Another highly placed source revealed that they have manufactured millions of key holders with Mbabazi portrait and they will be circulated across the country.

When asked if police allowed them to have the marathon, one of the organizers said they wrote to the police boss and they are waiting for the reply.

He further said that if police doesn’t reply, they will forcefully hold the function.

“We wrote to the IGP and he did not reply us but this time we even don’t want his reply. We shall hold the Marathon as planned come what may.”One of the organizers noted.

However, the Kampala metropolitan police boss issued a strong statement and warned the public to dissociate with the marathon saying that it will be dealt with according to the law.

“The police wishes to categorically put it clear that it has not been notified of any such event as required under the public order management Act 2013 for clearance and provision of security, and the US embassy has no knowledge of the same. The police have not therefore sanctioned any event of that nature,” Isabirye said in a statement.

“This is therefore to caution members of the public against taking part in an illegal activity and warn the so called organizers against misleading members of the public” and added that; “There will be no such event and whoever purports to participate in such unlawful even will be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the country.”