Kigezi North bishop Asiimwe, Kaziimba speak out on 2026 General Election

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Kigezi North bishop Onesimus Asiimwe has appealed to security operatives to refrain from applying excessive force against unarmed civilians in the ongoing political campaigns.

Asiimwe says armed personnel needed to uphold the highest standard of professionalism as they engaged with civilians.

He adds that in most cases where the clashes have happened, the civilians were not armed in any way, but the security operatives were using tear gas while engaging them.

Recently, the presidential campaigns, especially those of Opposition candidate Robert Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP), have been marred with violence in parts of the country, leaving one person, Meshach Okell,o killed in Iganga town with scores injured and detained.

He was the main preacher at the consecration and enthronement ceremony of Rev. Can. Associate Prof. Grace Lubaale, which took place at the Kyabazinga stadium, Bugembe in Jinja city northern division on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

Asiimwe said the country is at a time when the political campaigns are at their peak and, therefore, there is a need to give space for supporters to express themselves.

The bishop said he has come across supporters of different political parties in his area, including those of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), who keep greeting him with their symbols.

“Whenever I drive through Rukungiri, people greet me with political party symbols, and I respond the same, save for UPC, whom I have not met,” he told the congregation where Vice-President Jessica Alupo represented President Yoweri Museveni.

Police's account

However, it should be noted that while addressing journalists at the Uganda Police Headquarters in Naguru recently, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba responded to related concerns raised by Kyagulanyi, acknowledging recent incidents involving arrests of NUP supporters, the use of tear gas, and blockades affecting his campaign trail.

Byakagaba said the clashes between NUP supporters and security personnel stem from what he termed deliberate attempts by some political actors to provoke confrontations, violate campaign regulations, and disrupt peace during the election period.

He presented video clips compiled by Police cyber experts, which he said showed acts of provocation and disorder involving NUP supporters in several districts.

One clip from Mbarara showed a supporter shoving a female traffic officer, while another captured Kyagulanyi jumping out of a vehicle through an open sunroof to intervene in the arrest of rowdy supporters who allegedly attacked Police officers at Nkaatu Trading Centre in Iganga district.

Additional footage showed injured Police officers, which Byakagaba said demonstrates the risks facing security personnel while enforcing law and order during campaigns.

He added that the incidents in the districts of Kayunga and Iganga were not isolated, citing intelligence and field reports of similar behaviour in Lira and other districts. These included unauthorised processions, stone-throwing, destruction of campaign posters, harassment of security personnel, and violations of campaign timelines.

“Some actors have deliberately refused to comply with campaign guidelines, and these actions are intended to provoke security officers into confrontation,” Byakagaba said, adding that the Police have exercised restraint despite the provocations.

One God

Similarly, Church of Uganda Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu reminded the congregation that even if they boast of different political parties, they have one God.

He noted the need to ensure that they have peaceful elections that are nonviolent.



“We have different political parties, but we have one God, and we are children of God. Let us ensure that we love one another, ensure that there is no violence, ensure that we have peaceful elections,” he urged.

A renowned football supporter of Uganda Cranes and Arsenal in the English Premier League, Kaziimba, said they have different football teams, but they would still love one another.

He sent the crowd into laughter when he mentioned Liverpool as ‘Loserpool’, which, according to the Premier League table, was standing at 26 points in sixth position after scoring two goals against Brighton.

Meanwhile, Arsenal remained on top with 36 points after their Saturday win with two goals against Wolves’ single score.

“I support Uganda cranes, others Kenya, Express, Villa, and I support Arsenal. Loserpool is also there, Manchester City, we need each other, let us support one another, we shouldn’t fight because someone is supporting Arsenal, but we have a stubborn team which is giving us trouble, Aston Villa,” he said.

He said Aston Villa was always troubling Arsenal, even when it was not taking trophies.

“We should love them, even the Wolves, which are at the bottom. If Wolves were not supported, how would they know that the elephant is always up? We need other teams, even in politics, even if there are many political parties, let us love one another, we shouldn’t confront,” he said.

Kaziimba cautioned Ugandans against clashing under tribal and political party lines, saying these wouldn’t help as a country.

On the other hand, Asiimwe cautioned candidates against empty promises.

“Uganda is currently the promised land where many promises are being made; some politicians are promising bridges where there were no waters, they will elect you, but there is a time for accountability,” he said.

Turning to Lubaale, Asiimwe, the new bishop, was a Christmas gift to the Busoga diocese as he encouraged him to find joy in his stewardship by being a shepherd for all flocks who subscribe to different political parties.

He asked him to hold onto the African traditions by upholding the authority of the scripture, as he also cautioned against feeding on his sheep, saying he needed to emulate Jesus as the Bible suggests.

“Feed my and take care of my sheep, Jesus never implied feeding on his lamb, suddenly, some strange shepherd feeds on the lamb,” he cautioned.

Asiimwe, who once worked at Makerere University for 5 years, narrated how he endured the centre of gravity of beautiful girls.

He said girls with problems would go to him while clad in skimpy attire, thinking the tailor had taken other pieces of clothes.

“They used to call me uncle O, appearing like ripe mangoes for eating, I know many are watching this function on cyberspace, but I never touched any, I fed the lambs and never fed on them,” he said.