The Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, who is overseeing his first general election, has come under intense pressure for failing to enforce policing standards as election violence soars, culminating in a brutal attack on the National Unity Platform party.
The turning point came Saturday in Gulu City when NUP supporters and their leaders, including presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, were assaulted by goons, some of whom were reportedly assisted by uniformed and plain-clothed security personnel.
Police officers were accused of escorting armed gangs and standing by as the goons attacked NUP supporters with bottles, stones and sticks. Previously, Byakagaba had insisted the NUP leadership and supporters did not follow electoral guidelines on campaign processions.
The most recent incident prompted immediate condemnation and calls for accountability from other government bodies, including the Electoral Commission and the Uganda Human Rights Commission.
The chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, Mariam Wangadya, formally tasked Byakagaba to institute an immediate investigation.
“This is, therefore, to require an immediate investigation into what happened in Gulu City on 6th December, 2025, and to further require an explanation of the actions of the police,” read Wangadya’s letter dated December 7. “In addition, we demand to know what steps you have taken to bring the culprits involved in this incident to justice.”
Wangadya also demanded details on the actions police intend to take to ensure that “high-handed use of force against civilians exercising their rights to participate meaningfully in the democratic affairs of the country doesn’t happen again.”
Electoral Commission Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama described the violent incidents “surrounding candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu’s campaign rally while in Gulu” as unfortunate and uncalled for.
“The Commission calls on the Uganda Police Force to investigate the circumstances that led to Saturday’s confrontation and ensure those responsible are subjected to the full force of the law,” Justice Byabakama wrote Monday.
The EC boss further called on law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint and use proportionate, lawful and humane means while enforcing compliance with electoral laws and guidelines. He asserted that a duly nominated presidential candidate is free to campaign anywhere in Uganda, provided he or she adheres to the law and EC guidelines.
On the same day, Uganda Police Force spokesman Kituuma Rusoke said the force had received reports of “some officers caning civilians,” which he called regrettable, undesirable and unfortunate.
“At the same time, our personnel are reminded to always exercise their powers within lawful and acceptable limits,” Rusoke said. “Any actions found to be inconsistent with agreed standards of behaviour will be investigated, and appropriate action taken against any officer found responsible.”
Despite NUP supporters being attacked and their property destroyed, no suspect has been arrested so far among the police and military team that confronted Bobi Wine and his supporters. The same security team has been trailing Bobi Wine and arresting his supporters on allegations of violating electoral guidelines since campaigns began in late September.
Byakagaba had acknowledged the police were working with the military, arguing they are charged with protection of life and property “in partnership with other security agencies.”
The police accuse NUP supporters of holding processions in busy streets and roads, affecting traffic, while supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement have been seen holding similar processions with police escort. No opposition political processions have been allowed in urban areas since the 2016 general election.
The violent acts targeting the opposition have also drawn international concern. Last week, United Nations Human Rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement that it is regrettable that the election campaigns have once again been marked by “widespread arbitrary arrests, detentions and the use of unnecessary or disproportionate force against the opposition, as well as undue restriction of press freedom.”
“The Ugandan authorities must halt all violence against the media and the opposition and act fully in accordance with their obligations under international human rights law,” Türk said.
Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao had previously warned in September that there would be no processions, stating, “The elections are going to be peaceful. There will be no processions. There will be no ggaali (processions).”
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