By Ben Musanje
The Uganda Police Force has expressed regret over the violent confrontation that took place on Saturday during a rally for National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, in Gulu City.
The altercation, which involved police and Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) officers using sticks and guns to disperse the candidate’s supporters, has drawn widespread condemnation from political groups, the public, and human rights advocates.
According to the Uganda Police Force spokesperson, ACP Kituuma Rusoke, reports of the incident were received following a standoff between security personnel and Kyagulanyi’s supporters near the Bank of Uganda branch junction in Gulu.
The confrontation escalated quickly as videos emerged showing police officers caning civilians and striking them with sticks. These images, which spread rapidly on social media, have ignited outrage over the excessive use of force.
In an official statement, Rusoke called the incident “regrettable, undesirable, and unfortunate.”
He clarified that the police were escorting Kyagulanyi to the approved venue for his rally after his convoy was intercepted by security personnel.
Despite the tension, Kyagulanyi, accompanied by supporters and a heavy police and military presence, proceeded on foot along the Gulu-Kampala Highway to the designated rally grounds.
“The police regret what transpired, and we have instructed all officers to adhere to lawful and acceptable conduct during the election period,” Rusoke stated. “Any officer found responsible for acting outside the accepted standards of behavior will be investigated, and appropriate action will be taken.”
The spokesperson also reiterated the importance of maintaining peaceful campaign activities, urging all political candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint, avoid inflammatory rhetoric, and cooperate with law enforcement and security agencies. “We appeal to all stakeholders to engage in peaceful dialogue throughout the electoral process to ensure that Uganda’s elections remain peaceful and credible,” Rusoke emphasized.
However, the events in Gulu were just one of several instances of escalating tensions between security forces and political supporters.
Rusoke also condemned what he described as “continued and deliberate provocation” of security personnel by certain political groups.
On December 2, 2025, supporters of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi were reported to have obstructed police officers who were directing traffic in Wakiso District.
A video circulating on social media showed a motorcycle rider deliberately ramming into a police officer in Mbarara, nearly causing a fatal accident. Additionally, a female traffic officer was assaulted by political activists in a separate incident.
These episodes highlight the rising levels of aggression and violence surrounding the ongoing presidential campaigns. Police have warned that such behavior, whether by supporters or security forces, risks destabilizing the electoral process and endangering public safety.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission has also weighed in on the incident in Gulu.
In a statement issued on Monday, Justice Simon Byabakama, the Commission’s Chairperson, condemned the attack on Kyagulanyi and his supporters, calling it “unacceptable” and urging for an investigation into the actions of the police and military personnel involved.
“The violence that unfolded in Gulu is inconsistent with the Commission’s call for all stakeholders to act peacefully and in accordance with electoral laws,” Byabakama said.
“We urge the Uganda Police Force and other security agencies to thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to the use of force against both the candidate and his supporters, including the Electoral Commission security team that was present.”
During the confrontation in Gulu, several NUP supporters were injured, with one of the most notable cases being Daniel Oyirwoth, also known as Sir Dan Magic, who was seen in videos bleeding from the head after being struck by security forces.
This disturbing footage has since gone viral, prompting widespread criticism from human rights groups and opposition leaders, who have accused the government of attempting to intimidate opposition voices ahead of the 2026 elections.
While the Uganda Police Force and the Electoral Commission have called for calm and peace, the incident in Gulu has added fuel to the ongoing debate about the conduct of security forces during election periods.
Opponents of the government have long accused security agencies of using excessive force to suppress dissent and intimidate political opponents.
The Electoral Commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring free, fair, and credible elections, emphasizing that violence undermines public trust and confidence in the electoral process.
Byabakama urged all political candidates and their supporters to respect the rule of law, avoid violence, and refrain from any actions that could provoke security forces or jeopardize public peace.
“We must all work together to ensure that Uganda’s elections are peaceful, transparent, and credible,” the Commission Chairperson added. “Violence only serves to undermine our democracy and threatens the stability of our country.”
The confrontation in Gulu is just the latest in a series of violent incidents during the ongoing election season. On December 5, a separate incident occurred in Noya District, where NUP presidential candidate Kyagulanyi allegedly defied an agreement between the District Security Committee (DSC) and his campaign team.
Despite prior approval of a campaign venue in Patra, Kyagulanyi chose to hold his rally at Anaka Trading Center instead. Security forces blocked him from proceeding to the venue, resulting in further tension and standoffs.
Similar incidents have also been reported in other regions, including Amuru District, where Kyagulanyi’s campaign team was again blocked from accessing the approved Pentecostal Assembly Grounds in the town of Elegoo Border.
The police warned that such defiance of electoral guidelines endangers public peace and could lead to further clashes.
Violence and Electoral Violence
The Gulu incident and others like it are part of a broader trend of increasing political tension and violence in Uganda as the 2026 presidential election approaches.
Despite calls for peaceful campaigning from the Electoral Commission and civil society, many fear that the rising hostility between political parties, security agencies, and the electorate could threaten the integrity of the electoral process.
The Uganda Police Force and other security agencies continue to face scrutiny for their handling of election-related violence, and many observers are calling for greater accountability and reforms in the way security forces interact with civilians, particularly during political events.
With just months to go before the election, the Ugandan public remains on edge, hoping that leaders from all sides will prioritize peace, cooperation, and dialogue over division, violence, and aggression. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
