Members of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) in Mawogola North have accused security agencies of targeting and intimidating their supporters through what they describe as unjustified arrests during the ongoing campaign season.
The latest incident occurred on Thursday evening when police detained Kennedy Ssemwanga, a resident of Mateete Town Council and a prominent NUP supporter. Authorities allege that Ssemwanga tore down several campaign posters, including those of President Yoweri Museveni and Dez Byuma, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer for Mawogola South.
The Member of Parliament for Mawogola South and NUP flag bearer for the same seat, Gorreth Namugga, confirmed the arrest and accused police of overstepping their mandate.
“Our supporter was arrested simply because they claimed he removed NRM posters from his own home. This is unacceptable. The police should have also arrested whoever put posters on the house without the owner’s consent,” Namugga said.
Namugga warned that continued arrests could force the party to reconsider its approach to the campaign period.
“We have tried to stay calm as NUP, but these continued arrests are pushing us to the wall. If this harassment continues, we may have no choice but to defend ourselves. I call upon all NUP supporters to remain alert and stand their ground,” she said.
Echoing her concern, the NUP flag bearer for Mawogola North, Iddi Ssemata, described the arrests as part of a broader attempt to weaken opposition support in the region.
“This is clearly a targeted operation against NUP supporters. It is not happening to any other group. If Ssemwanga is not released, we shall take the next step. We cannot allow this injustice to continue,” Ssemata said.
The tensions in Ssembabule mirror similar allegations in neighbouring Rakai District, where opposition candidates say they have experienced threats, vandalism of campaign materials, and intimidation of their supporters.
The NUP candidate for Kooki County, Triab Sango, said security personnel have been warning his supporters against moving at night, threatening them with arrest.
“Security personnel are intimidating us and vandalising our posters. This is not a free and fair campaign environment,” Sango said.
When contacted for comment, the Southern Region Police spokesperson, Twaha Kasirye, dismissed the allegations of political targeting. He explained that Ssemwanga’s case is being handled according to the law.
“We have transferred the file to the DPP, and in case evidence is found, he will be charged accordingly,” Kasirye said.
The accusations contribute to growing concerns among opposition candidates about what they describe as a shrinking political space ahead of the 2026 general elections.