Leaders of five different political parties that subscribe to the Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) have condemned the security brutality on different candidates and their supporters in the ongoing campaigns.
The five secretaries general in the December 24, 2025 joint statement released as the IPOD Christmas message said the ongoing security brutality undermines the entire electoral process and erodes public trust.
They include Dr Gerald Siranda of the Democratic Party (DP), Richard Todwong of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Fred Ebil of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC), David Alira of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), and Mohamed Kateregga of the Justice Forum (JEEMA).
‘IPOD unequivocally condemns any acts of brutality, excessive force, or intimidation by security agencies during political campaigns and electoral activities. Such actions undermine public trust, democratic principles, and the right of citizens to freely participate in political processes,’ said Dr Siranda, who is also the IPOD Council Chairman.
Dr Siranda whose party signed a cooperation agreement with the NRM, also condemned candidates and their agents who allegedly provoke security operatives.
‘We urge you to conduct yourselves responsibly by adhering to the agreed-upon standards, guidelines, and codes of conduct governing campaigns and desist from violence,’ said Dr Siranda whose party president, Norbert Mao, serves as Justice Minister in the NRM government.
Mr Todwong, in a rejoinder, said it is not right for the security agencies to brutalise the members of the opposition because the NRM view them as competitors, and not enemies.
‘We condemn in the strongest terms possible the violence that was reported in some parts of the country which was meted against candidates and their supporters.we call upon our supporters, wellwishers and believers to refrain from using violence,’ he said.
UPC’s Ebil said that violence only affects the peace that the country has cherished for some time.
‘We don’t want to go to the worst experiences we had because we remember the 9th September 1977 execution at Clock Tower that took prominent Civil Servants.we must cherish this peace, especially to the young generation that never experienced bad times because some of us who were their during Amin’s regime we saw it.we now see soldiers beating up people meaning we can go back in old dark days,’ he said.
Their condemnation coincides with a section of religious and cultural leaders who have urged security operatives, particularly the military and police to stop brutalizing citizens who don’t agree with policies of the current regime that has been in power for nearly four decades.
National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential candidate, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi and his supporters have been mostly targeted by the military and police as he (Kyagulanyi) moves around the country seeking for votes in a second attempt to unseat President Museveni, 81, who has been in power since 1986 when he shot his way to State House through a five-year guerilla warfare.
The most horrific attacks by security operatives have happened in the last two months, mostly during stand offs between Mr Kyagulanyi’s supporters and security operatives who have on several occasions blocked or disrupted his rallies under unclear circumstances.
Some people lost lives during such violent clashes, with police accusing supporters of the musician turned politician of violating electoral laws and rules.
In their joint IPOD members said, ‘We in the strongest terms possible condemn the violence that has been recorded in the various parts of the country and as we move towards the end of the campaign, these may increase. We therefore call upon all candidates, supporters, security forces, citizens and every one to restrain themselves and keep peace for the good of all people.’