Police say assault on NUP supporters in Gulu regrettable, undesirable

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Police have broken their silence over the December 6, 2025, violent skirmishes incident involving National Unity Platform supporters who were beaten as they were escorting presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi to campaign in Gulu city.

Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke, while addressing the media, said the incident arose after a disagreement between Kyagulanyi and teams regarding the campaign route, leading to a standoff. He said the incidents of civilians being assaulted had been received and termed the actions regrettable, undesirable and unfortunate.

“On December 6, 2025, we experienced a violent scene in Gulu city near Bank of Uganda during the campaign activities of Kyagulanyi, the NUP presidential candidate. Kyagulanyi entered Gulu district through Pabbo–Bungatira road and arrived at Awach grounds, the officially designated venue, at about 3:00pm, however, he proceeded to Paicho, where he addressed a group of people,” Rusoke said.

“He later entered Gulu city through Kitgum Road, where a disagreement arose with security teams regarding the campaign route, leading to a standoff. Reports of some officers caning civilians during the event have been received. These actions are regrettable, undesirable and unfortunate,” Rusoke added.

The spokesperson said following the standoff, Kyagulanyi walked on foot along the Gulu–Kampala Highway towards the central business district, escorted by Police and Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) officers, together with his supporters, to Awere grounds, the approved venue for his rally. The rally proceeded.

Exercise calm

“The Police reiterate our call to all candidates and their supporters to exercise calm, avoid inflammatory statements and cooperate with security and other stakeholders to ensure peaceful campaign activities. At the same time, our personnel are reminded to always exercise their powers within lawful and acceptable limits,” he said.

Electoral Commission witing for investigations

Rusoke’s statement comes after the Electoral Commission on Monday condemned the violence that erupted in Gulu city on December 6 during a campaign rally for Kyagulanyi, saying the incident threatens the peaceful conduct of the 2026 General Election campaigns.

The statement issued by EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama says the Commission is awaiting a full investigation into the clashes, which left several people injured and led to acts of vandalism.

“The Commission is saddened that this violent confrontation happened just a few days after the Commission, together with the agents of the eight presidential candidates and the Uganda Police Force, met and resolved that there should be a return to a peaceful campaign process,” Byabakama said.

He noted that the presidential campaigns, which began on September 29, had largely progressed without major incidents.

“For the first several weeks, they were very peaceful,” he said.

Byabakama said all presidential candidates remain free to access voters across the country as long as they comply with electoral laws and Commission guidelines. He emphasised that disagreements on the campaign trail must be resolved through discussion rather than confrontation.

“If there should be any disagreement, the default position should be dialogue amongst the responsible parties so that any matter is resolved through dialogue rather than violent confrontations,” he said.

The EC urged security agencies to enforce campaign rules with professionalism and restraint.