Members of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party in Mawogola North, Ssembabule District, have accused security personnel of targeting their supporters through what they describe as unjustified arrests during the ongoing campaign season.
The latest incident occurred on Thursday evening when police detained Kennedy Ssemwanga, a resident of Mateete Town Council and an outspoken NUP supporter.
He is accused of tearing down campaign posters, including one of President Museveni and another of Dez Byuma, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer for Mawogola South.
Gorreth Namugga, the MP for Mawogola South and NUP flag bearer for the same seat, confirmed the arrest and accused police of abusing their authority.
‘Our supporter was arrested simply because they claimed he removed NRM posters from his own home. This is unacceptable, the police should have arrested even the one who put posters on the house without the owner’s consent,’ she said.
Namugga warned that continued arrests could compel NUP to rethink its approach.
‘We have tried to stay calm as NUP, but these continued arrests are pushing us to the wall. If this harassment continues, we may have no choice but to defend ourselves. I call upon all NUP supporters to remain alert and stand their ground,’ she added.
Iddi Ssemata, the NUP flag bearer for Mawogola North, echoed the concerns, claiming the detentions form part of a systematic plan to weaken opposition support.
‘This is clearly a targeted operation against NUP supporters. It is not happening to any other group. If Ssemwanga is not released, we shall take the next step, we cannot allow this injustice to continue,’ Ssemata said.
The tensions in Ssembabule echo similar complaints in neighbouring Rakai District, where NUP candidates allege intimidation and vandalism of campaign materials.
Eriab Sango, the NUP candidate for Kooki County, said his supporters have been warned against moving at night and threatened with arrest.
‘Security personnel are intimidating us and vandalising our posters. This is not a free and fair campaign environment,’ he said.
When contacted for comment, Southern Region Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye dismissed allegations of political targeting, insisting people like Ssemwanga are in lawful custody.
‘We have transferred the file to the DPP, and in case evidence is found, he will be charged accordingly,’ Kasirye said.
The accusations add to growing concerns among opposition candidates about what they describe as a shrinking political space ahead of the 2026 elections.