The Police have warned individuals involved in violent confrontations during the ongoing presidential campaigns, saying officers will not tolerate continued acts of provocation and aggression against security personnel. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said while the campaign trail for presidential candidates has generally been peaceful, a section of individuals have developed “a troubling habit of provoking the police with increasing levels of aggression that have now become intolerable.”
“These negative elements have escalated their actions to damaging vehicles, assaulting officers, and causing chaotic scenes. We have begun holding specific individuals accountable,” Kituuma said in a statement on Wednesday. He emphasized that police will not issue blanket condemnations of all campaign participants, noting that some conduct themselves peacefully and respectfully.
“We shall go for conflict entrepreneurs who have chosen to confront police officers at leisure and turned aggression, belligerence and violence into a habit,” he added. Kituuma cited an incident that occurred on October 28, 2025, at around 1:00 p.m., when supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) allegedly attacked police officers trailing the party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Robert Kyagulanyi, along the Lira–Alebtong road.
The incident took place near Obot A Village, close to Obot Primary School, where the group reportedly stopped and attacked a police vehicle registration UBK 380Q, puncturing its tyres with sharp metal objects, confiscating the car key chip sensor, and stealing two 20-liter jerricans of diesel, a laptop, and a bag of clothes belonging to one of the officers.
According to police, the attackers claimed the vehicle carried a jammer disrupting their online communication network, but Kituuma dismissed the allegation as “fabricated to create chaos.” “Since the campaigns began, they have been livestreaming their movements and communicating freely at times even with police,” he said. A case of malicious damage and robbery has been opened, and ten suspects have been arrested. They include Ssembusi Precious Paul, Bukenya Ismail, Lokoro Liberty, Nakabuye Mastura, Waiswa Raston, Nasozi Hope, Saliman Kagwa, Kamulegeya Regan, Katamba Stephen, and Lubega Alison.
The suspects are detained at Lira City Central Police Station as investigations continue under the guidance of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Police have also impounded a green Toyota Hiace (drone) registration UA 933AU, believed to have been used by the group and are working to recover the stolen items. Kituuma further revealed that the Lira incident was one among several assaults against police officers in recent weeks.
On October 3 in Mayuge District, an officer covering NUP campaign events was reportedly attacked by “Kanyamas” linked to the presidential candidate. The officer sustained injuries and lost his phone in the scuffle, with a case of assault recorded under Mayuge CRB 797/2025. On October 8 in Kyankwanzi District, another officer was assaulted during a rally at Bikoma Primary School. Police said the suspect responsible for punching an officer managed to escape the crowd before arrest.
Kituuma also referred to an incident on October 21 when Mr. Kyagulanyi allegedly deviated from an agreed campaign route in Kisiita Town Council. He said the candidate’s convoy ignored instructions to pass through Kakumiro Town Council and instead drove on the pavement, damaging police vehicle UP 7694. The incident led to a standoff, during which the windscreen of a police vehicle was broken before officers managed to restore calm. In Busia, another officer was reportedly assaulted, with a case opened under Busia CRB 1038/2025.
Kituuma reaffirmed the police’s commitment to providing security for all presidential candidates but warned against criminal acts and violation of agreed campaign guidelines. “Candidates are warned against deviating from agreed campaign venues and taking rallies to roadsides or trading centres. This will not be acceptable,” he said. The police urged all political actors to exercise civility, respect the law, and maintain peace throughout the campaign period.
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