The Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, has demanded that the government provide an explanation for the violence that unfolded during the Kawempe North by-election on March 20, 2025.
Mr Ssenyonyi called for clarity on who was responsible for the brutal treatment of opposition leaders, supporters, and journalists, which marred the election process.
The Opposition has strongly condemned the brutality, which saw their candidate assaulted, along with numerous supporters and journalists who were either beaten or abducted.
Mr Ssenyonyi pointed to statements from government officials, including Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Kampala Minister Minsa Kabanda, and Youth and Children Affair's minister Balaam Barugahara, who suggested that the Opposition had inflicted the violence on themselves.
“We raised this issue repeatedly, but government failed to act. Our candidate was assaulted, our leaders were brutalised, and journalists were targeted. Some were abducted and dumped with injuries. The government officials claimed we did this to ourselves, but we want to know, who is responsible for this violence?” Ssenyonyi said.
During the Kawempe North by-election, journalists were among those targeted in a wave of violence that marred the electoral process.
Several reporters were severely beaten while covering the events, with some being detained and others abducted by security personnel.
The brutality was especially shocking as journalists, who were simply carrying out their professional duties, found themselves victims of unwarranted aggression.
Mr Ssenyonyi demanded that the government reveal who ordered the brutal treatment and whether the claim that the violence was self-inflicted was indeed the official stance of the government.
Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda also questioned the use of military-grade vehicles, including Mamba trucks, during the election.
“I saw these vehicles at polling stations in Kawempe. These are the same vehicles we saw in Northern Uganda during the conflict with Joseph Kony. Why were they deployed in a by-election?” he asked.
The government, through junior trade and industry minister David Bahati, declined to comment on the violence, stating that the President had already addressed the matter.
However, the Opposition insists that an independent investigation is necessary to determine accountability for the brutality.
The ongoing calls for transparency underscore the gravity of the situation, as the violence has raised concerns about the state of democracy and the protection of citizens' rights during elections.