By Hannah Marion Namukasa
The Electoral Commission (EC) has sharply condemned the violent clashes that marred the 6 December 2025 campaign rally of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, in Gulu.
In a strongly worded statement delivered by EC spokesperson Julius Muchunguzi on behalf of Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the electoral body described the incident as “regrettable and unnecessary,” particularly in light of a recent high-level meeting convened to defuse tensions between presidential campaigns and security forces.
According to the Commission, agents representing all presidential candidates had only days earlier met with senior officials of the Uganda Police Force and jointly committed to peaceful conduct and strict adherence to electoral laws. Justice Byabakama said Saturday’s violence ran directly counter to those assurances and to the Commission’s longstanding calls for calm, tolerance, and respect for the rule of law.
Justice Byabakama reaffirmed that every duly nominated candidate has the constitutional right to campaign anywhere in the country, provided they comply with the law and Electoral Commission guidelines. He urged political actors and their supporters to resolve disagreements through dialogue rather than confrontation, warning that violence threatens the credibility of the electoral process.
The EC Chairperson called on the Uganda Police Force to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the confrontation in Gulu and ensure that all those responsible—regardless of political affiliation or security status—are held to account.
He further appealed to law enforcement agencies to exercise maximum restraint during campaign operations, emphasizing the need for “proportionate, lawful, and humane” methods when enforcing electoral regulations.
The Commission reiterated that safeguarding peace during the campaign period is essential for ensuring free, fair, and credible elections as the country moves deeper into the 2025 electoral season.
