The Secretary General of the National Unity Platform (NUP), David Lewis Rubongoya, has raised concerns over what he describes as unequal and inconsistent application of campaign regulations by law enforcement agencies ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Speaking on NBS Frontline on Thursday, Rubongoya noted that despite NUP’s commitment to peaceful, message-driven campaigns, the party continues to face restrictions not imposed on the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Rubongoya highlighted that the party’s protest vote strategy has been “largely successful” in mobilizing supporters nationwide. However, he criticized law enforcement officers for what he termed selective enforcement of political activity guidelines.
“How come when we go to the police, they say processions are not allowed, yet for the NRM, they say they regulate their processions?” Rubongoya questioned. “All we want is a fair and consistent application of the law for all political actors.”
His remarks follow guidelines issued by the police and the Electoral Commission, which prohibit campaign processions and instead mandate that candidates hold meetings only at designated campaign venues.
Political actors are also required to coordinate activities with both the police and the EC to ensure order, safety, and compliance with the law.
Rubongoya stressed that while NUP has adhered to these directives, enforcement appears uneven, creating frustration among supporters and raising concerns about the credibility of the electoral process.
With just weeks to the elections, Rubongoya called for transparency, uniform regulation, and respect for the rights of all parties to engage freely with voters, emphasizing that equitable enforcement of campaign rules is essential for a fair and democratic election.