Police defend clampdown on NUP team over Kiruhura skirmishes

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Police have defended the arrest and detention of 19 members of the campaign team of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.

They said the move followed violent incidents during Kyagulanyi's rallies in Kazo and Kiruhura districts on Wednesday.

According to Police, the arrests were part of efforts to restore order after clashes broke out between rival political supporters as the NUP leader's convoy passed through Sanga town council in Kiruhura.

The area, a known stronghold of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), witnessed running battles that left several people injured, including a police officer, the deputy mayor of Sanga, and a journalist.

Rwizi Regional Police spokesperson Samson Kasasira said the arrests were lawful and aimed at maintaining public safety.

“We received complaints of violent conduct involving NUP supporters who [allegedly] attacked other groups and obstructed traffic along the Masaka–Mbarara highway,” he said Kasasira.

“The suspects were detained to help with investigations into acts of incitement, assault, and malicious damage.”

Kasasira said Police had opened five case files in connection with the incidents and were working to identify all those responsible.

“We are holding 19 NUP supporters, not 20 as alleged. Efforts have commenced to put them before the victims for identification. Those who have no case to answer will be released, while those found culpable will be charged in court."

Kasasira dismissed allegations that Police had protected the attackers or unfairly targeted Kyagulanyi’s campaign team.

“We don’t protect criminals. Our role is to protect people and property, and that’s exactly what we did. The law applies equally to everyone, regardless of political affiliation.”

But addressing journalists early Thursday morning before setting off for Isingiro district, Kyagulanyi said his supporters faced 'systematic intimidation" in Kazo and Kiruhura.

“We were waylaid by goons dressed in NRM T-shirts, led by the area mayor. They had stones and sticks and attacked us along the road. Everything was on camera,” he said. 

“Unfortunately, these goons were protected and commanded by the Police, as you all saw.”

Kyagulanyi said that despite the attacks, his campaign team managed to proceed and hold only one rally in Kazo after security operatives blocked them from addressing supporters elsewhere.

“In Kiruhura, the RDC and police blocked us from holding our rally. They confiscated our public address system and again attacked our people. We condemn that because it’s discrimination and an attempt to portray this beautiful region as intolerant.”

Despite the tensions, Kyagulanyi said his campaign would remain peaceful and focus on unity.

Later, before proceeding to Isingiro, the two-time presidential candidate made a brief stop in Biharwe, Mbarara, where he paid his respects to Monica Kibalama, wife of John Bosco Kibalama (the missing founding member of the People Power movement), who died early Monday.

“It is very unfortunate that she died in a very suspicious way after seven years of demanding the return of her husband....We shall one day have justice for all these missing Ugandans.”

He also mentioned the disappearance of two Kenyan nationals, Bob Nyaki and Nicholas, allegedly abducted from eastern Uganda, saying it reflected a climate of fear.

Kyagulanyi said he is determined to continue his western Uganda campaign.

“We are not stopping. We shall continue engaging Ugandans peacefully until every citizen understands that they have the power to change their country.”