The police director of operations, Frank Mwesigwa, has defended the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM)’s campaign activities, saying the party’s processions are fully sanctioned and conducted under police guidance.
His remarks follow public criticism after NRM supporters in Mbarara district held processions ahead of President Museveni’s rally at Boma Grounds on Monday. The controversy deepened when a police truck was filmed transporting party supporters to the venue, raising questions about the use of state resources in campaign mobilisation and the neutrality of security agencies during the election period.
The concerns come against a backdrop of violent clashes in November between supporters of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, and joint security forces in multiple districts, including Arua, Lira, Kiruhura, Mbarara, Kampala, Masaka, Kayunga, Mukono, Jinja, and Iganga.
Several NUP supporters were arrested during the disruptions. In Iganga, the November 28 skirmishes turned deadly, leaving one man, Meshach Okello, shot in the head, and three others; Samuel Nuwamanya, 24, Naminya Banuli, 44, and Faima Namusobya, 24 injured.
Police said the clashes were triggered by NUP supporters pelting stones at officers, while Kyagulanyi accused the forces of firing live bullets at peaceful supporters. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abas Byakagaba defended the arrests, citing repeated flashpoints involving NUP supporters, including violations of campaign routes, traffic infringements, public disorder, attacks on security officers, and destruction of government property.
Amid escalating tensions, Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson Simon Byabakama convened a crisis meeting between police and representatives of the presidential candidates to address the deteriorating campaign environment.
Mwesigwa, however, drew a distinction between NRM activities and other processions the police have blocked. He insisted that NRM rallies and processions were cleared beforehand and conducted under police control.
Following Wednesday evening’s harmonisation meeting, Mwesigwa said the police remained committed to enforcing the law impartially and working with candidates who adhere to established guidelines.
“We’ve advised candidate agents to instruct their candidates to refrain from processions in the middle of the road,” Mwesigwa said.
“They can wave to the people, but shouldn’t mobilize them to move with them. Instead, supporters should gather at designated venues. If candidates adhere to these guidelines and respect the 6:00 pm campaign curfew, we can ensure a peaceful remainder of the campaign period.”
He added that officers are authorised to use rifle fire if provoked into self-defense. NUP secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya condemned what he described as partisan policing, arguing that the law was being enforced selectively. “
The processions aren’t illegal; the police’s role is to regulate them. However, the police are enforcing the rules selectively. NRM supporters are allowed to march freely, while NUP supporters are met with tear gas, bullets, and assaults. During political campaigns, people naturally get excited, and our candidate can’t help but wave to his supporters,” Rubongoya said.
He added that NUP has demanded equal enforcement of the law and would not accept continued discrimination. Byabakama expressed concern that campaigns which began peacefully had deteriorated into chaos.
He warned that the EC would impose sanctions on candidates who persistently flout guidelines, particularly those breaching the 6:00 pm curfew or staging unauthorised processions, noting that representatives of the candidates had agreed to follow the rules during the meeting.
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