Uganda Police have intensified operations against rising acts of violence on the campaign trail, warning that continued provocation and assaults on law enforcement officers will not be tolerated.
In a statement released on October 29, 2025, police said that while most campaign activities for presidential candidates have remained peaceful, a growing number of “conflict entrepreneurs” have turned to aggression, vandalism, and attacks on officers.
Authorities vowed to hold specific individuals accountable rather than issuing general condemnations.
The warning followed an incident on October 28, when a police patrol trailing National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, was ambushed by a group of his supporters in Obot A village, near Obot Primary School, as the team moved from Lira City to Alebtong District.
According to police, the attackers punctured the tyres of a patrol vehicle (UBK 380Q), confiscated its key sensor, and made off with two jerricans of diesel, a bag of clothes, and a laptop belonging to one of the officers.
The group allegedly claimed the vehicle was carrying a jammer disrupting their livestream, a claim police dismissed as false and “deliberately fabricated to incite chaos.”
A case of malicious damage and robbery has since been opened, and ten suspects, identified as Ssembusi Precious Paul, Bukenya Ismail, Lokoro Liberty, Nakabuye Mastura, Waiswa Raston, Nasozi Hope, Saliman Kagwa, Kamulegeya Regan, Katamba Stephen, and Lubega Alison, have been arrested and are currently detained at Lira City Central Police Station pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
A green Toyota Hiace drone (UA 933AU) was also impounded as part of the investigation.
Police cited several similar incidents in recent weeks, including assaults on officers in Mayuge, Kyankwanzi, and Busia districts, and damage to a police vehicle in Kakumiro after Kyagulanyi’s convoy allegedly deviated from an agreed campaign route.
“The police remain committed to providing security to all candidates,” the statement read, “but we will not tolerate criminality and hooliganism disguised as political activity.”
Authorities have urged all candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint, respect agreed campaign guidelines, and conduct their activities peacefully to ensure a secure and orderly election period.
