Tensions between the Uganda Police Force (UPF) and the National Unity Platform (NUP) have escalated once again, with both sides trading accusations over crowd management and campaign conduct as the 2026 general elections approach.
The latest confrontation surfaced during a local broadcast on 2nd December 2025, where NUP lawyer George Musisi accused security agencies of ‘routine high-handedness’ during the party’s recent activities in Kira and Kasangati.
He cited incidents in which police fired tear gas and erected roadblocks as NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi traveled through the area.
Musisi argued that the actions were neither necessary nor lawful, insisting they were intended to intimidate supporters rather than maintain public order.
“What we saw yesterday was the usual pattern; unnecessary roadblocks and unnecessary tear gas,” Musisi said.
“It is campaign season; people will naturally be excited to see a presidential candidate. Waving to supporters at a trading center is not a crime,” he added.
He further questioned the motivation behind the security operations, alleging a deliberate attempt to disrupt NUP’s ability to communicate with voters.
However SSP Donald Muhwezi, the Community Liaison Officer for Kampala Metropolitan Police, dismissed the claims.
He argued that NUP’s approach had increasingly shifted “from normal campaigning” to what he described as a confrontational political strategy.
“This group means what it says. They claim to be in a protest vote, they call themselves rebels, and their actions reflect exactly that,” SSP Muhwezi stated.
He added that maintaining stability was essential for a credible electoral process, stressing that police intervention becomes necessary when candidates fail to adhere to established guidelines.
Muhwezi noted that police had repeatedly cautioned campaign teams during meetings held by the Electoral Commission (EC).
“We have met multiple times with candidate representatives at the EC and shown them footage of violations committed during their campaigns. Without regulating mass gatherings, you compromise the nation’s stability,” he said.
The televised exchange came just a day after Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba warned NUP over what he termed ‘deliberate non-cooperation’ with police.
He defended the force’s commitment to accountability, pointing to the swift disciplinary measures taken against officers involved in an earlier incident in Mbarara, despite public criticism.
As the 2026 polls draw closer, the widening rift between the police and the Opposition raises further questions about campaign freedoms, public safety and the broader political environment in the months ahead.
