The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) party has condemned “state-sponsored violence” and escalating attacks meted out on opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi and his supporters.
ANT, in a strongly worded statement issued on Saturday, warned that continued brutality could plunge the country into “chaos and instability” as the 2026 general elections draw near.
ANT acting national coordinator, Alice Alaso Asianut, expressed outrage over the recent disruptions of Kyagulanyi’s campaign trails in Lira, Kiruhira, and Mbarara, calling the acts“highly detrimental to the rights of candidates and citizens to participate freely in the electoral process.”
“The disgusting humiliation and undressing of women during arrest is a strong indictment of the NRM government,” Alaso said.
“Women in political leadership should rise and condemn this barbaric treatment of fellow women.”
She urged the Electoral Commission to “be seen to act” and protect all presidential candidates, warning that the use of unidentified armed groups to intimidate Ugandans was “a recipe for chaos and instability.”
“We stand with NUP to demand a safe, free, and fair campaign and electoral process,” she added.
“We also call for the unconditional release of all those who have been grabbed and kidnapped by the regime.” The ANT statement followed a chaotic scene in Mbarara district, where police on Friday blocked Kyagulanyi’s convoy along the Mbarara–Ibanda road, arresting several of his supporters and journalists as he attempted to proceed to Rubindi playground for his final rally in the area.
Kyagulanyi, later accused the Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, of turning a blind eye to repeated reports of harassment by security forces.
“We have written several letters to Justice Byabakama about these attacks, buthe has chosen silence,” Kyagulanyi told reporters.
“More than 100 of our members have been arrested, others injured, yet the Electoral Commission pretends not to see.”
Police, however, defended their actions, saying they had arrested individuals“with criminal records” accused of assaulting officers, destroying property, and obstructing police operations.
Despite the confrontation, Kyagulanyi vowed to press on with his campaign, accusing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) of using intimidation to stifle opposition.
“They are doing everything to stop us from reaching our people, but we shall not stop. We shall keep moving,” he said defiantly.
Earlier, addressing a rally at Mbarara High School playground, Kyagulanyi urged voters to reject the NRM’s “tribal politics” and support NUP candidates at all levels.
“Our party’s name has a ‘U’ in the middle; it stands for unity,” he told supporters. “We will build a new Uganda that unites everyone, across regions and tribes.”
Kyagulanyi also promised to create 10 million jobs for youth by recovering funds “stolen by corrupt officials in the current leadership.” As tensions flare on the campaign trail, ANT’s statement marks one of the strongest shows of solidarity among opposition forces, reflecting broader fears about fairness and safety in the final stretch toward the January 2026 general polls.
After failing to demobilize people from waving at us on the roadside as has been the norm wherever we have been, the criminal regime has resorted to arming vigilante groups with sticks to provoke and launch attacks at us. This is what just happened in Sanga town. Utterly… pic.twitter.com/ittIxQfBqm
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) November 5, 2025
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