Police vow electoral violence crackdown during NRM primaries

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Police say they have heightened security operations across the country to curb electoral violence and ensure a peaceful process.

The alert comes just days to the Thursday, July 17, 2025, National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries for parliamentary and district chairperson flag-bearers.

Addressing journalists at the Police Headquarters in Naguru, Kampala on Monday, Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said the overall electoral environment remains calm despite isolated incidents of violence, tension and voter intimidation in some areas.

He said the force is closely monitoring hotspots and has made significant deployments to prevent disruptions, especially in the NRM strongholds.

“We are in the middle of the electoral process. Some parties are holding primaries, others are conducting various activities towards the electoral endgame,” Kituuma stated.

“The situation is largely calm, but we have had pockets of lawlessness—hiring of goons, vehicle vandalism and assaults.”

Kituuma revealed that over 60 arrests had already been made by the end of last week, and more suspects had since been apprehended.

These arrests stem from criminal activities linked to the NRM primaries, particularly in areas where rival factions have clashed.

IGP tours volatile districts

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba last week toured several districts to defuse tensions and engaged local security and political leaders. The IGP’s tour included the districts of Isingiro, Ssembabule, Mbarara, Rukungiri, Rukiga and Kabale—regions flagged as electoral hotspots due to past incidents of violence or political contestation.

In each district, the IGP met with candidates, district security committees, and other stakeholders to reinforce the Police’s role as the lead security agency and to emphasise impartiality in handling electoral-related matters.

“The IGP assured all political actors that the Police will remain neutral, professional, and lawful throughout this process. He gave commanders the confidence and legal backing to act decisively against those disrupting the peace,” Kituuma said.

During his engagements, the IGP also addressed public concerns regarding the presence of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) in some areas, clarifying that the army is part of the multi-agency security apparatus supporting the police.

“Some people are asking about the presence of the army. All security organs — including the army, intelligence services, and even the civilian community — have a role in supporting peaceful elections,” Kituuma added.

"Their deployment is lawful and aimed at complementing police work.”

The Police warned candidates and supporters against ferrying crowds to tally centres to overwhelm officials and influence results.

Kituuma said the party guidelines allow each candidate to be accompanied by only four persons to the tally centres.

“We are working with NRM electoral officials to regulate the number of people at these centres. We will not tolerate unauthorised firearms or illegal operations at tally centres. This could lead to arrests and prosecutions,” he warned.

Police are also closely tracking individuals who have committed offences during the campaign period but have gone into hiding.

Kituuma cautioned that electoral-related crimes will not be forgotten or forgiven after elections.

“There is a misconception that after committing an offence, you can disappear and return to normal after the polls. That is false. You will be arrested and prosecuted — whether now or later,” he emphasised.