The Uganda Police Force (UPF) has said it cannot regulate or restrict the security operations and movements of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during the campaign period, citing his status as Head of State.
This comes amid growing public criticism over what opposition parties describe as the police’s selective enforcement of campaign regulations, allowing ruling party supporters to hold open processions while cracking down on opposition gatherings.
During President Museveni’s recent nomination and subsequent rallies, supporters of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) were seen in celebratory processions through the streets of Kampala on their way to Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. The gatherings went uninterrupted by security personnel.
In contrast, opposition candidates, including National Unity Platform (NUP) flagbearer Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Nathan Nandala Mafabi, have faced repeated police blockades in Eastern Uganda, particularly in Iganga and Jinja districts. Police cited illegal processions and non-compliance with traffic regulations, sparking renewed accusations of bias in law enforcement.
Addressing journalists at the weekly security briefing held at Naguru Police Headquarters, Assistant Commissioner of Police Kituuma Rusoke said the Force is “tired” of being accused of political favouritism whenever it enforces campaign rules.
“We have a Head of State, and we will not treat him as others wish. We engaged with NRM officials, and there was compliance. Some people even wanted us to regulate the number of vehicles the President used during his nomination, but we will continue to ignore such voices,” Kituuma said.
He advised critics to familiarise themselves with the Presidential Elections Act, which maintains the President’s security detail and privileges even when he is contesting as a candidate.
Kituuma dismissed allegations from opposition leaders, particularly within NUP, that police are deliberately frustrating Kyagulanyi’s campaign trail.
“We’ve spoken to everyone who’s had issues. We’ve addressed violations of campaign guidelines across all parties, including FDC’s Nandala Mafabi and Munyagwa. So it’s not true that we’re targeting NUP. Even though they have held processions in some areas, challenges arise when they insist on holding rallies along designated traffic routes,” he explained.
However, NUP leaders maintain that security agencies are operating with political motives. NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya accused the police of systematically blocking their campaign activities, particularly in areas perceived to be opposition strongholds.
“Blocking us from campaigning in Iganga Municipality is a violation of our rights. Like other candidates, we have every right to campaign in all parts of Uganda, including Iganga,” Rubongoya said.
The police, however, allege that some of the criticism circulating on social media and mainstream platforms is part of a broader smear campaign aimed at discrediting the institution and gaining political sympathy.
Meanwhile, the Uganda Police Force has confirmed an ongoing investigation into Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Annabella Nyiramahoro, the Deputy Regional Police Commander of Masaka, who was recently filmed campaigning for an NRM candidate at a rally.
“An instruction was issued to investigate the matter. It’s against our code of conduct for any officer to engage in political activity while still in service. Officers with political interests should only express them through the ballot box or after they leave the Force,” Kituuma said.
The police spokesperson reiterated that the Force remains nonpartisan and committed to enforcing the law uniformly during the campaign period. However, observers note that the repeated incidents of selective enforcement, whether perceived or real, continue to fuel tensions and mistrust ahead of the 2026 general elections.