Police tighten campaign rules after NUP confrontations in several districts

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Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba has strongly warned against escalating electoral violence, citing a series of confrontations involving National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters and security personnel in the districts of Kayunga, Lira, Iganga, Mbarara, Karamoja, Abim and Kampala city's Kawempe division, among others. 

He says the Uganda Police Force and sister security agencies will continue enforcing campaign guidelines firmly to preserve peace ahead of the 2026 general elections.

According to the Police, the most recent fracas occurred in Kayunga district, where a NUP candidate held campaign rallies culminating in Kayunga county, a fortnight ago.

Byakagaba, while addressing the media at the Police headquarters in Naguru, Kampala, said: The candidate (Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine) arrived late and attempted to address supporters beyond the 6:00pm campaign cut-off time, a regulation issued to safeguard public order and the safety of both supporters and candidates.

“Officers on duty advised him to stop, but he allegedly refused to comply. Police then halted the rally and dispersed the crowds after the candidate continued mobilising supporters in defiance of the guidelines,” Byakagaba said.

He added that another confrontation erupted on November 28, 2025, in Iganga district, minutes after the same candidate concluded his campaign. Stones were reportedly thrown at officers by sections of the crowd. Security responded by dispersing the violent mob. Amid the chaos, one civilian sustained fatal injuries.

Deep regret

The IGP expressed deep regret over the incident, stating that no political activity should ever result in the loss of Ugandan lives.

“Nothing whatsoever merits the taking away of the life of a Ugandan where that life can be protected and saved. Our duty is to protect and save the lives of Ugandans,” he said.

He urged both security personnel and political actors to respond to volatile situations constructively, avoiding provocations and actions that risk loss of life.

Violent mobilisation 

The IGP also addressed growing concerns in Lira and several other districts where security agencies have recorded incidents of violent mobilisation, defiant processions, confrontations with Police, destruction of property, and coordinated groups arriving at rallies armed with stones and other projectiles. 

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)

Police said these patterns reflect a worrying trend of orchestrated provocation aimed at generating clashes with security forces.

He further explained the November 7, 2025, joint security operation carried out in Mbarara, saying it was a planned and intelligence-led exercise targeting suspects linked to a series of criminal activities reported across different parts of the country.

“Investigations had reached a level where arrests were necessary,” he said, noting that the operation was executed professionally to prevent further escalation of violence.

The IGP condemned all forms of electoral violence and lawlessness, emphasising that Uganda’s socio-economic transformation and peace must be protected from actors attempting to undermine existing stability.

He stressed that security agencies have been “patient and tolerant”, constantly engaging political players, including NUP, to ensure their activities comply with the law. However, some individuals and groups have “deliberately refused to comply.”

Cause of firm enforcement

He listed several actions that will attract firm enforcement measures, including:

• Incitement and harmful propaganda
• Hate speech and public declarations of defiance
• Unauthorised campaign processions
• Destruction or defacement of posters
• Harassment and assault of security personnel
• Campaigns beyond the stipulated time
• Criminality at campaign venues
• Mobilising armed groups with stones and other weapons
• Misuse of artificial intelligence to spread disinformation

“The laws of this country are not in abeyance,” he warned. “All political actors must adhere to the guidelines as we carry out electoral activities.”

The IGP urged political parties, candidates, supporters, civil society and the media to exercise their rights responsibly and peacefully, noting that peaceful elections cannot take place in an atmosphere of violence. 

“Peace is a requisite for elections. We can never have elections where there is no peace.”

He also cautioned political organisations, including NUP, against creating private security outfits to protect candidates. 

This responsibility, he said, legally belongs to the Uganda Police Force and other security agencies working in coordination with the Electoral Commission.

The IGP reaffirmed that the police and sister agencies to safeguard the constitutional rights of all Ugandans to campaign, vote and participate in the electoral process.

However, he emphasised that the forces will act decisively to maintain public order before, during and after the elections.