Any magistrate or, in his or her absence, any police officer of or above the rank of inspector, or any commissioned officer in the armed forces of Uganda, in whose view twelve or more persons are riotously assembled, or who apprehends that a riot is about to be committed by twelve or more persons assembled within his or her view, may make or cause to be made a proclamation in the President's name, in a form he or she thinks fit, commanding the rioters or persons so assembled to disperse peaceably.