from HASSAN ONYANGO in Kampala, Uganda
Uganda Bureau
KAMPALA, (CAJ News) – UGANDAN police allege its officers are under increasing attack by supporters of the main opposition National Unity Platform (NUP).
This is widening tensions between the police force and the party of Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, ahead of elections in January 2026.
The Uganda Police Force (UPF) reports its officers have been assaulted during rallies by NUP in the East African country.
Ugandans are to elect the president, with longtime leader, Yoweri Museveni, seeking re-election.
“The campaign trail for presidential candidates has generally been peaceful but certain individuals have developed a troubling habit of provoking the police with increasing levels of aggression that have now become intolerable,” UPF stated.
The force warned of a crackdown.
“We shall go for conflict entrepreneurs who have chosen to confront police officers at leisure and turned aggression, belligerence and violence into a habit.”
UPF appealed to parties to desist.
“We urge all political actors to conduct themselves with civility, adhere to the law, and maintain peace throughout the campaign period.”
Ssentamu has alleged illegal raids by police, including an intrusion at his hotel residence this week.
“The invasion was a barbaric act and replicates the usual script of sowing seeds of fear within us. This has been the criminal regime pattern at every election cycle,” he said.
He reported the arrest of 15 party personnel, who have since been released.
“This is absolute impunity,” the opposition leader stated.
Museveni (81) and rival Ssentamu (43) are the main contenders of the presidential poll.
Former military officer Museveni has been in power since 1986 and is the third-longest consecutively serving current non-royal national leader in the world, after Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in Equatorial Guinea and Paul Biya in Cameroon.
– CAJ News