The Uganda Police Force (UPF) has expressed ‘regret’ over last weekend’s violent clashes between the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters and security forces in Gulu, northern Uganda.
Security forces descended and beat up Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, aka Bobi Wine’s supporters, in an attempt to block access to Awere Grounds, where the NUP presidential candidate was scheduled to hold a rally.
Addressing journalists at Naguru police headquarters, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke described the incident as “regrettable, undesirable, and unfortunate” and announced that a general inquiry has been launched.
“The reports of the altercations were received, and videos circulating show civilians being battered during the encounter. A general inquiry into this matter is underway, and we will not wait for people to die. We need to address this matter urgently,” Rusoke said.
He warned that any officer found to have acted inappropriately will personally face consequences and emphasised that no personnel will be shielded by law. Supporters along Gulu Airfield road were severely beaten, including Kyagulanyi’s aide, Dan Magic, who sustained head injuries.
Videos from the incident showed individuals in plainclothes and soldiers striking NUP supporters, with some police officers, including those assigned to protect Kyagulanyi, also affected. Kituuma described the operation as extreme and warned that such actions could lead to friendly fire or mistaken identity.
“Election policing is a tense period, but these incidents serve as a lesson. When we review, these are mistakes that should never happen again,” he said.
Journalists questioned the police’s ability to manage political tensions, particularly where soldiers and plainclothed personnel appeared to take control. Kituuma confirmed that top commanders are meeting to review standard operating procedures and improve coordination.
I am sincerely grateful to the ordinary residents of Gulu as well as our security team for withstanding this savage brutality in order to protect us. Those criminals even beat up the police officers attached to our campaign.
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) December 7, 2025
I am very grateful to the media who despite being… pic.twitter.com/5IFEfF2U6S
The Gulu clash is not an isolated event. Since the start of presidential campaigns in September, multiple violent incidents have been reported, including the arrest of more than 100 NUP supporters in Mbarara on November 7.
Kyagulanyi has repeatedly accused security forces of attempting to suppress his campaign. Electoral Commission chairperson Simon Byabakama condemned the Gulu violence as “unfortunate and uncalled for” and urged law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint while conducting a thorough investigation.
Of course such electrol violence was instigated by the current ruling political party of NRM. It is a political party that has been trying to obtain all credit for many years and counting for having brought peaceful democracy to this poor African country. From day one it is a political party that has been blaming the Ganda political party of Kabaka Yekka for causing violence to the stubborn Ganda catholics during the national elections of 1961! Of course the Ganda catholics 1950/60 at the instigation of the Pope, wanted to get rid of Kabaka wensi and only promote Kabaka weggulu! Now that the Buganda Kingdom state and Uganda are republican entities, the NRM wants to own these African republics and replace them with a M7 dynasty. It is unfortunate that the tax payer has got to finance such political shenanigan until he or she is run bankrupt. Who in his right mind is going to pay for the compensation the opposition is suffering from NRM gestapo police when in the future, greedy lawyers come out to make a case in the Uganda courts of law?
But what a BS!
How on earth and obsequious can the police degrade itself so low, into regretting on behalf the UPDF thugs, who were actually the ones that thrashed; not only Kyagulanyi’s supporters, but also other police officers.
Who in his/her right state of mind can still deny that: 40 YEARS and counting, a regime that came to power through violence, by the AUTHORS and MASTERS of violence and for the violent; can never be/come a regime of PEACE, but VIOLENCE?
Under a regime of criminals, by criminals and for criminals; in order to save their souls, OR unless he is a DIRTY COP, it is high time the the Kituuma Rusoke of this country, crossed their hearts and simply resign and have their PEACE mind.
And who in his/her right state of mind can also deny that: we have an 85-years-old DIRTY PRESIDENT, Gen Tibuhaburwa who is the Commander in Chief, and also a grossly INDISCIPLINE and DIRTY CDF who happens to be his son?
Moreover, from 2005 to 2018, we a DIRTY IGP, Gen Kale Kayihura who was the Genesis and architect of the Kiboko squad.
Since when has the enkoni become one of the Armed Forces instrument of restrain, OPEN/PUBLIC torture, suppression and oppression?
And who in his/her right state of mind can deny that: since our colonial past, no regime has exacted more violence and/or organized murder of Ugandans than the NRM regime?
In other words, what is PEACE when for 40 years and counting state orchestrated arbitrary arrests and random violence (torture) on innocent Ugandans is the ORDER OF THE DAY?
Just asking.
museveni must go