Police deny detaining Kenyan activists

KAMPALA - Police have dismissed media reports that they arrested two Kenyan activists, who reportedly crossed to Uganda to participate in presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi’s campaign activities.

Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said they have no record of such arrests, warning political actors and activists against spreading false information meant to discredit security agencies by painting them as being partisan.

Addressing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, Monday October 6, Kituuma said there were no missing persons’ reports filed with police regarding such a group.

“I have not been briefed that we have such persons in our custody. I also don’t have any information that they are accused by police. If I had it, I would volunteer it here without reservation. I don’t even know whether they have been reported as missing persons,” Kituuma said.

Media reports indicate that Kenyan activists Nicholas Oyoo and Bob Njagi reportedly went missing last week. Lawyers from Kiiza and Mugisha company advocates have since petitioned the civil division of the High Court seeking orders to secure the release of the activists.

But according to Kituuma, the police have verified reports shared online by various political groups alleging that the duo was abducted, but found no evidence to support the claim.

“What we have seen is a deliberate attempt by some actors to feed the public with false narratives that security agencies are targeting foreigners who are sympathetic to certain candidates. This is simply not true. There are no Kenyan activists under detention in Uganda,” he said.

 Bias claims, provocations

Kituuma cautioned political actors against what he called “tactical propaganda” and attempts to provoke security personnel and then use edited videos or photos to portray them as being partisan or abusive.

“We’ve seen teams trying to intimidate police by accusing it of being partisan so that we fear to do our cardinal duties. That is not going to happen,” Kituuma firmly stated.

He added: “Traffic regulations are not suspended, and neither are any other laws of this country. We shall enforce them.”

He said while the police remain committed to ensuring peaceful and coordinated campaign activities, it will not tolerate deliberate lawlessness disguised as political expression.

“There are people who think that by weakening the police, making it appear as a human rights violator, they will make their way to Parliament or capture state power. We are aware of such schemes and we will not be baited into them,” he said.

Kituuma explained that all operational teams deployed during campaign coverage had received fresh briefings on human rights compliance, emphasising restraint, negotiation, and proportionate response.

“Every officer knows when, how, and under what circumstances a firearm may be used — it must always be justified, proportional, and lawful,” he observed.

 President’s Convoy

Turning to criticism over the size of the presidential convoy, Kituuma cautioned politicians and commentators against dragging the President’s (Yoweri Museveni) name into campaign enforcement debates, insisting that the Head of State’s movements are governed by strict security protocols, not comparable to those of other candidates.

“People always want to drag in the name of the President (Yoweri Museveni) — asking, ‘Why is he stopping here? Why is he moving with so many vehicles?" Kituuma said.

“Let me tell you, we have a Head of State in Uganda. You either come to terms with it or not, but at least hear it. We are not going to subject the Head of State to your insensate calls. Please, mind your business,” Kituuma said.

He dismissed calls for the regulation of the President’s convoy size as unrealistic.

“Those who want us to regulate the number of vehicles in the presidential convoy are going too far. Movements of a Head of State have high security considerations. You are not going to sit in your chair and advise security on how the President should move,” Kituuma said.

Generally, however, Kituuma reported that week one of the presidential campaigns had been largely peaceful nationwide, despite isolated disagreements between security teams and campaign organisers.

He cited a few instances where candidates had deviated from agreed campaign routes, causing temporary friction with police.

“Our main point of disagreement with some candidates was on campaign rules. We would agree with their organising committees on certain arrangements, then find a candidate trying to turn around and go against those agreed positions,” he explained.

Kituuma also reported a road accident along the Kalaji–Kayunga Road involving vehicles in Kyagulanyi’s campaign convoy, which left several people injured last week.

“We vividly registered physical injuries — motorists were reckless, and as a result, some ended up knocking each other, leaving others with serious fractures,” he said.