Uganda Law Society (ULS) joins other civic organisations to condemn the recent crackdown on National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters in Mbarara.
What began as a peaceful campaign rally quickly turned into a scene marked by arrests, beatings, and the mysterious disappearance of dozens of supporters and journalists. The heavy-handed police operation has left families anxious and the public demanding accountability, as no clear explanation has been provided for the detentions.
The Law Society challenges the authorities’ justification for the actions and calls for the immediate release and fair treatment of all those detained ahead of the 2025/26 general elections.
This unfolding crisis highlights growing concerns about electoral fairness and human rights in Uganda, as security forces appear to be undermining political freedoms through intimidation and violence.
The ULS issued a strong statement last week a few hours after the ugly incidents happened. The incidents occurred as NUP supporters were en route to a scheduled rally in Bwizibwera Town Council, with many detained under unclear circumstances and their current whereabouts unknown.
The NUP presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, revealed that over 100 supporters— including parliamentary candidates, foot soldiers, and journalists—were arrested and detained following a heavy security crackdown on the campaign convoy.
Many detainees reportedly suffered severe beatings, and some remain handcuffed inside police cells or held in prisons beyond Mbarara. The police-led operation involved a large security presence that used what witnesses described as unreasonable force to disrupt the NUP rally efforts.
While the police claimed the arrests targeted individuals suspected of offenses committed during earlier NUP campaign events, the ULS has dismissed this explanation as unconvincing and questioned why lawful summons or public notices were not issued instead.
The Law Society labeled the actions as intimidation, obstruction, and forcible disappearance of peaceful political participants engaging in legitimate electoral activities.
The ULS has urged the police and relevant authorities to account for all arrested individuals and conduct any investigations lawfully and transparently, respecting fundamental rights and democratic principles.
It emphasized its commitment to using legal and advocacy means to hold those responsible accountable and protect citizens’ rights amid rising electoral tensions in Uganda. In light of this situation, the ULS called on members willing to offer pro bono legal support to assist those affected.
The Society also appealed for an end to excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and tactics undermining the democratic process as Uganda continues its electoral cycle. This development underscores the growing concerns over election-related violence and the suppression of opposition activities in Uganda, raising calls for greater vigilance to uphold the rule of law and political freedoms ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The ULS’s statement reflects a broader demand for respect of human rights and political inclusion during this critical period.
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