Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Donald Muhwezi, Chief Liaison Officer for the Kampala Metropolitan Police, has confirmed that the Uganda Police Force is investigating violent incidents that occurred during a National Unity Platform (NUP) campaign in Kiruhura District.
Speaking to Canary Mugume during NBS Face Off on Sunday, SSP Muhwezi said;
"I have watched the videos from Kiruhura like the rest of Ugandans, and the institution of police is concerned. As I have always told people, this electoral process involves many stakeholders, and the police is just one of them. Police and the Electoral Commission have sent a team to Kiruhura to establish who was involved in the NUP incident."
The incident in Kiruhura involved the NUP presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, who was blocked from campaigning after violent confrontations erupted between his supporters and groups of youths wearing yellow T-shirts, the color associated with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Tensions escalated at Ssanga Trading Centre, where yellow-clad youths, reportedly accompanied by security personnel, confronted NUP supporters, resulting in clashes.
Eyewitnesses told The Nile Post that army trucks distributed yellow T-shirts and President Museveni posters, while NUP posters were torn down. Journalists covering the events were also attacked by rogue youths.
Muhwezi emphasised the challenges the police face during the electoral period.
"The electoral process involves excitement. It involves people who are drunk, happy, who love their candidate, and those who oppose them. We have seen people shouting at police and even abusing officers."
Muhwezi noted that while NRM rallies are often held outside town centers, opposition campaigns frequently occur in busy town areas, disrupting businesses and traffic. On arrests made during the election period, SSP Muhwezi clarified;
"Some people arrested in Mbarara had committed crimes in Busia. They were arrested on Friday, and these are facts we don’t need to debate. You cannot have any court process on Saturday or Sunday, so automatically we had to go beyond 48 hours. When you are pardoned by the President and you commit another offense, that doesn’t mean the pardon covers the current offense."
On criticism and the role of law enforcement in elections, Muhwezi urged stakeholders to exercise objectivity.
"If we were to arrest every person who breaks the law, you would be shocked at how many people would be picked. To have a peaceful election, all stakeholders must play their part. Political parties and organisations must do what is right within their means and talk to their voters and agents,” he said.
“Criticise us objectively because our work should benefit the people. We do not work for mercenaries, and we are not here to make money out of what we do. Our work is for the good of Ugandans, and we invite positive criticism,” he added.
The Uganda Police Force and the Electoral Commission are expected to release further updates on the investigation in Kiruhura in the coming days.