Gulu City, Uganda: Police have broken their silence on the disturbing scenes in which military personnel were captured caning National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters during Robert Kyagulanyi’s campaign trail in Gulu on Saturday, December 06, saying investigations are underway and condemning the conduct as “regrettable, undesirable and unfortunate.”
Addressing the weekly security briefing at Naguru Police Headquarters, Police Spokesperson ACP Rusoke Kituuma provided the clearest account yet of how the chaos unfolded, confirming that the altercation stemmed from a standoff between Kyagulanyi’s campaign team and security over the agreed campaign route.
According to police, Kyagulanyi entered Gulu District through Pabbo–Bungatira road before proceeding to Awach grounds, the officially designated rally venue. However, he later diverted to Paicho, where he addressed crowds outside the approved program.
Kituuma explained that tensions escalated when Kyagulanyi’s convoy attempted to enter Gulu City through Kitgum Road, contrary to the pre-agreed route, triggering a confrontation with security teams and causing a temporary paralysis of traffic and crowd control operations near Bank of Uganda.
It is during this standoff that videos emerged showing some UPDF personnel caning civilians, images that sparked public outrage and widespread condemnation on social media.
“These actions are regrettable, undesirable and unfortunate,” ACP Kituuma said, pledging that the conduct of the officers is now a subject of formal inquiry. “Any actions found to be inconsistent with agreed standards of behaviour will be investigated, and appropriate action will be taken against any officer found responsible.”
Despite the moments of chaos, Kituuma confirmed that Kyagulanyi eventually proceeded on foot, escorted by Police and UPDF personnel, along Gulu–Kampala Highway toward Awere grounds, the officially approved venue in the Central Business District. The rally later proceeded without further incident.
The police spokesperson, however, appealed to candidates and their supporters to avoid provoking confrontations, issuing inflammatory rhetoric, or defying election guidelines.
“At the same time, our personnel are reminded to always exercise their powers within lawful and acceptable limits,” he added. “When communication and cooperation break down, we risk losing the peace and mutual respect that all of us deserve.”
The incident in Gulu adds to a growing list of tense interactions between NUP and security agencies across various districts during the ongoing campaigns, with human rights groups repeatedly calling for restraint and professionalism from security forces as the country moves closer to the 2026 polls.
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