By Robert Segawa
Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba has ordered the opening of a General Inquiry File (GEF) to investigate all the disturbing incidents that unfolded during the National Unity Platform (NUP) campaign trail of Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, in Gulu over the weekend.
The order follows chaotic scenes in which security personnel dispersed NUP supporters, leaving several injured—including members of Kyagulanyi’s official security detail. Witnesses reported confrontations in which some supporters allegedly provoked officers deployed to manage rallies and processions.
However, security forces also came under scrutiny. Several personnel were seen wearing masks and civilian clothing, while others reportedly sealed number plates on security vehicles. Videos circulating from the scene showed officers beating NUP supporters as well as electoral-commission-assigned security guards attached to Kyagulanyi.
Addressing journalists at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke urged officers to avoid excessive force, reminding them of their duty to preserve life, peace, and order. He also advised presidential candidates and other political aspirants to refrain from violence, noting that heightened emotions during campaigns are often driven by the large sums of money invested.
Kituuma said he will forward public concerns to the National Security Committee, including complaints about masked officers and concealed number plates on security vehicles.
Commenting on the deployment of prison warders at the Gulu campaign event, Kituuma defended the move as legal under Article 212(d) of the Constitution, which allows police to operate alongside other security agencies.
He also issued a stern warning to security operatives ferrying supporters in government security vehicles to campaign events, ordering them to stop the practice immediately.
