Makerere University don and political commentator Prof Mwambutsya Ndebesa has attributed the rising scenarios of election violence to deeply rooted political entitlement by some individuals in positions of authority.
Prof Ndebesa, while appearing on a national broadcast on December 8th, 2025, argued that some people in higher capacities have a mentality of entitlement prompting countless violations.
“I think some people in power have an entitlement mentality, and that’s why we see this sort of violence,” Prof Ndebesa said.
Prof Ndebesa noted that political entitlement is not limited to Uganda, pointing to the 1993 Canadian federal election, which he claimed also saw incidents of violence.
“The violence has always been there. It has just intensified,” he said.
He argued that some leaders minimize other citizens as ‘less human’, making it easier to justify beating or intimidating citizens.
The professor, therefore, urged the nation to name and challenge this entitlement openly.
“The sooner we discuss this entitlement of some of our leaders publicly and openly, the better. Otherwise, we shall continue having these clashes,” the professor stated.
His argument comes after recent violent clashes between security forces and supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party during recent campaign rallies.
Read Also: EC Orders Immediate Probe after Saturday’s Clashes at NUP Rally in Gulu
Police on the other hand have admitted reports and videos of caning of civilians by security, stating that they had been noted.
At the weekly security press brief at police headquarters in Naguru on December 8th, 2025, Police Spokesperson SSP Kituuma Rusoke affirmed that reports of altercation were received, and videos circulating were true.
“These actions are regrettable, undesirable, and unfortunate,” he said.
Rusoke, however, argued that that the incident in Gulu resulted from NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu disagreeing with security on the campaign route, leading to a scuffle.
“After addressing people in Gulu, the NUP presidential candidate proceeded to Gulu City through Kitgum Road, where he had a disagreement with our security teams regarding the campaign route, leading to a standoff,” SSP Rusoke added.
With tensions escalating ahead of the 2026 elections, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has condemned the recent violence and called for immediate accountability. The Commission reminded candidates, supporters, and security agencies to uphold the law and ensure peaceful campaigning.
