NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine during a campaign trail in Lira District on October 27, 2025. /BOBI WINE/X
Ugandan police have arrested 10 people following a violent confrontation involving supporters of the National Unity Platform presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, during a campaign trail in Lira District.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, is the latest in a series of violent acts that Uganda police say are marring what has otherwise been a largely peaceful election season.
In a statement issued by the Uganda Police Force on Wednesday, police said they were forced to act after “certain individuals developed a troubling habit of provoking officers with increasing levels of aggression.”
The statement said the attacks, which have included damaging vehicles, assaulting officers and causing chaos, had become intolerable.
According to the police, Tuesday's incident occurred around 1pm when a group of NUP supporters attacked police officers traveling in a trail behind Kyagulanyi’s convoy in Alebtong District.
Kyagulanyi, pop star-turned-politician widely known as Bobi Wine, is making a second bid for the presidency, challenging longtime leader Yoweri Museveni in a contest that has seen him repeatedly arrested and detained for opposing the incumbent’s rule.
Police said the attackers in his campaign convoy allegedly punctured police vehicle’s tyres, confiscated its key sensor and stole two 20-litre jerricans of diesel, a bag of clothes belonging to one of the officers and a laptop.
“The suspects alleged that the vandalised vehicle contained a jammer disrupting their online network,” police said.
“However, since the campaigns began, they have been livestreaming their movements and communicating freely even with police present. They fabricated an accusation to create chaos and now a case of malicious damage and robbery has been registered against the perpetrators.”
Police said the suspects are currently detained at Lira City Central police station pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Police also impounded a drone allegedly used in the attack and said investigations were ongoing to recover stolen items and identify other accomplices.
The Uganda Police Force cited other incidents of violence linked to the NUP campaign.
They said on October 3 in Mayuge District, an officer was assaulted and his phone stolen during a rally.
Another officer was attacked on October 8 in Kyankwanzi during a rally. Police said a crowd member punched one of their non-commissioned officers before disappearing into the crowd.
On October 21, Kyagulanyi allegedly deviated from a pre-agreed campaign route in Kisiita Town Council, Kakumiro District, leading to chaos and damage to a police pickup truck.
The statement said police had to block the convoy’s advance and use a helicopter to contain the situation.
The police condemned the growing hostility toward law enforcement officers and warned they would not tolerate “criminality and hooliganism” disguised as political activity. This after another officer was assaulted in Busia.
“Candidates are warned against deviating from agreed campaign venues and taking rallies to roadsides or trading centres,” the statement said.
“We urge all political actors to conduct themselves with civility, adhere to the law and maintain peace throughout the campaign period.”
Uganda is scheduled to hold elections for President and Members of Parliament on January 15, 2026.
The campaign season has drawn intense local and international attention, with security agencies under pressure to ensure peaceful polls amid tensions between the government and opposition figures.
Meanwhile, across the border in Tanzania, citizens went to the polls on Wednesday amid reports of voter violence at some polling stations.
The BBC reported that police fired teargas in Dar es Salaam after protests erupted, resulting in the injury of several people.
“We are tired… We want an independent electoral commission so that every Tanzanian can choose the leader they want,” one protester told the BBC.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan is widely expected to retain her seat with a landslide as main opposition leader Tundu Lissu remains in jail on treason charges, which he denies, and his party Chadema has boycotted the vote.
