By Admin
National Unity Platform (NUP) party presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, criticises security forces of violently assaulting him, his aides, and supporters during campaign activities in the country’s northern region, an escalation observers say signals rising political tension ahead of the January 15 presidential election.
Wine, a musician-turned-politician seeking to unseat 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni for a second time after his 2021 defeat, claims security agencies have intensified efforts to disrupt his rallies.
Footage captured in Gulu shows the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader being surrounded by heavily armed officers, who blocked him from accessing avenue where he had been cleared to address supporters, part of a pattern that has seen multiple opposition gatherings dispersed forcefully.
Scenes from the campaign trail also show police assaulting Wine’s supporters, including renowned music producer and activist Sir Dan Magic, a prominent figure in the candidate’s circle of artists backing his presidential bid.
Dan, who has previously accused security operatives of targeting him, was again seen injured after a confrontation with officers.
Despite the blockade, Wine eventually managed to address the crowd in Gulu, using the platform to challenge the incumbent’s development record.
“Museveni says he is protecting his gains,” he told supporters. “I want to ask you, the people of Gulu—what gains do you have to protect?”, he queried.
Additional footage obtained by this publication shows Sir Dan Magic confronting a police officer wearing a metal helmet, who appears to threaten him.
Dan references a similar assault in 2020, accusing the same officer of nearly killing him five years earlier.
What Acholi Religious leaders Say?
Speaking during Sunday Mass at Holy Rosary Parish in Gulu City through the church’s online media platform, Holy Rosary Parish TV, Rev Fr Eric Uma, one of the region’s outspoken clerics, condemned both the violence and the conduct of security agencies.
Rt Rev Godfrey Loum, the Northern Uganda Diocese Bishop, told Uganda Radio Network in an interview that what happened is “unacceptable and terrible” and urged the government to provide accountability.
Fr. Uma said the events in Anaka and Gulu were very “dark moments” for the Acholi Sub-region and a sign of growing “political intolerance”.
“Something dark happened in our world. In Anaka, they stopped presidential candidate Bobi Wine from speaking, from campaigning. Yesterday (Saturday, December 6), it happened here in Gulu City very bad things…” said Fr. Uma.
Adding “Our own children were incited to break shops, to wreak havoc. Some inflicted injuries on those who went to listen to Bobi Wine. The soldiers and police looked on.”
Fr. Uma questioned why security forces in Acholi would block Kyagulanyi so aggressively when he has campaigned peacefully in other regions in the Ankole region, including Mbarara, a home region of President Museveni, without similar restrictions.
In his part Rt Rev Godfrey Loum, the Northern Uganda Diocese Bishop, told Uganda Radio Network in an interview that what happened is “unacceptable and terrible” and urged the government to provide accountability.
Bishop Loum questioned why security agencies failed to protect both people and property during the chaos.
“Our security people are supposed to provide security for the people and their property. If people lose property when security personnel are on watch, then that is not good. What happened is terrible; it’s unacceptable because the government is supposed to provide security for its people, and this was not the case.” Said Bishop Loum.
He urged the government to ensure equal treatment for all presidential candidates, arguing that it would be strange if some people were given a platform while others were denied.
Police Speaks Out
Addressing journalists at Naguru Police Headquarters, Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke described the incident as “regrettable, undesirable, and unfortunate” and announced that a general inquiry has been launched.
“The reports of the altercations were received, and videos circulating show civilians being battered during the encounter. A general inquiry into this matter is underway, and we will not wait for people to die. We need to address this matter urgently,” Rusoke said.
He warned that any officer found to have acted inappropriately will face consequences and emphasized that no personnel will be shielded by law.
Electoral Commission Condemns the Act
The Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, in a press statement on Sunday evening, condemned the violent confrontation against the presidential candidate in Gulu city.
Justice Byabakama noted that the incident was unfortunate, especially after a few days when the commission met with all the presidential candidates and the police to address the issues.
“As we await investigations into the incident to establish the root causes, the commission wished to state that this was unfortunate and uncalled for, especially coming days after meeting all the agents of presidential candidates and the Uganda Police Force to iron out any issues with all those in attendance committing to peaceful conduct in accordance with the law,” the statement reads.
Justice Byabakama noted that a duly nominated candidate is free to traverse any part of the country, provided they are acting within the law and guidelines of the Electoral Commission.
He appealed for dialogue, not violence and confrontation in any case of disagreement or “any matter” during the campaign trail and called on law enforcement to exercise restraint, proportionate, lawful, and humane means while enforcing compliance with the electoral laws and guidelines.
Uganda is set to hold a presidential election on January 15, 2026. Kyagulanyi is among the eight presidential candidates nominated for the race seeking to end the nearly 40-year rule of President Yoweri Museveni, who came to power through a coup in January 1986.
