Mbarara, Uganda: The Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, has accused security forces of violently arresting more than 100 of his supporters and journalists in Mbarara, a move he says is politically motivated to frustrate his 2025/26 election campaign.
Speaking during a press briefing in Mbarara city on Saturday, Bobi Wine described the events as “a brutal and coordinated attempt to derail the NUP campaign” as the party convoy made its way to Bwizibwera Town Council for a scheduled rally.
“Over 100 of our comrades were brutally arrested and are being detained by the regime police at Mbarara Central Police Station on yet to be known charges,” Bobi Wine said. “The detained include our parliamentary candidates, foot soldiers, supporters, and residents who had accompanied us from Mbarara High School playground, where we had held our first rally. Their situation is dire, with the majority visibly in pain from severe beatings.”
According to Bobi Wine, some of those detained remain handcuffed inside police cells, while others are being held in Lira and Kiruhura prisons. He accused the police of targeting innocent supporters while ignoring groups allegedly linked to the ruling party.
“The real criminals are the goons in yellow who were captured on camera. We know the regime intends to break our spirit and derail us from pursuing our goal of liberation, but we are not giving up,” he said, confirming that NUP would proceed to Rwampara and Ntungamo for its next rallies.
ULS Condemns Arrests, Demands Transparency
The Uganda Law Society, in a statement released on Saturday, November 8, 2025, confirmed receiving a “distressing report” from the NUP over the alleged arrests and disappearances, describing the situation as “a grave affront to constitutional freedoms.”
The ULS said verified media reports show a heavy security deployment and “use of unreasonable force” in disrupting the NUP campaign convoy in Mbarara. It dismissed the police explanation that the operation sought to arrest individuals suspected of past offences as “unconvincing.”
“Why resort to obstruction, intimidation, and the alleged forcible disappearance of peace-loving supporters engaged in legitimate electoral activity?” the ULS questioned.
The Society, through its Vice President, Asiimwe Anthony, demanded that the Inspector General of Police account for the whereabouts of all those detained and ensure investigations are conducted lawfully and transparently.
“The ULS remains committed to upholding the rule of law and the protection of human rights throughout Uganda,” Asiimwe said, adding that the Society will pursue “all legal and advocacy avenues to secure accountability.”
Human rights advocates have expressed concern over increasing reports of arbitrary arrests, excessive force, and intimidation of opposition supporters ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The ULS urged security agencies to refrain from tactics that undermine democratic participation, noting that repeated acts of violence risk eroding public trust in Uganda’s electoral process.
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