The Electoral Commission (EC) has condemned the violence that broke out at Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu’s campaign rally in Gulu on December 6, describing the incident as ‘unfortunate and uncalled for,’ even as it awaits a police investigation into what triggered the clashes.
On Monday, EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama appealed for dialogue and peaceful conduct on the campaign trail but notably, again, did not attribute responsibility for the confrontation.
The omission stood out, given widespread circulation of videos showing security forces at the centre of the chaos.
‘A duly nominated presidential candidate is free to traverse any part of Uganda to campaign, provided he or she is acting in line with the law,’ Byabakama said.
He urged all stakeholders to ‘act peacefully and in accordance with electoral laws,’ warning that violence threatens efforts to deliver free, fair, and credible elections.
The EC’s call for restraint came only days after representatives of all presidential candidates met with the Uganda Police Force and committed to de-escalation and lawful conduct during the campaigns.
Eyewitness videos from the scene showed masked plainclothes men operating alongside heavily armed police and soldiers confronting Bobi Wine and supporters at Awere Sports Ground and in different parts of Gulu City.
The footage sparked fresh criticism of the state’s handling of opposition rallies, with many observers questioning how police could impartially investigate an operation in which its own personnel were visibly involved.
‘Calling the police to investigate themselves sounds like, ‘Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me’,’ @St_Valerian reacted to EC’s statement on X.
‘You are telling the perpetrators of violence to investigate themselves?? What is there to investigate when everything is in camera???’ @Paul Lukwago wrote.
Last week, acting Defence spokesperson Col Chris Magezi publicly defended the security deployment, accusing Bobi Wine of behaving ‘defiantly’ and ‘confrontationally.’
He argued that the army could not ‘look on’ as the opposition candidate and his supporters allegedly disturbed public order, contrasting Bobi Wine campaign with what he described as the calm conduct of the other seven presidential contenders.
Despite the videos and Magezi’s defence of the operation, the EC statement steered clear of assigning blame.
Instead, it called on police to ‘investigate the circumstances’ that led to the confrontation and ensure that ‘those responsible are subjected to the full force of the law.’
Byabakama reiterated that disagreements on the campaign trail must be handled through dialogue, not force, and urged security agencies to use ‘proportionate, lawful and humane means’ in enforcing compliance with electoral rules.
Uganda will hold its general election on January 15, 2026 to decide a new parliament and president.
Museveni faces seven challengers, including Bobi Wine, Robert Kasibante, Elton Joseph Mabirizi, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, Mugisha Muntu, Mubarak Sserunga Munyagwa and Frank Bulira Kabinga.