Kampala, Uganda: Security forces in Uganda have strongly dismissed claims by opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi a.k.a Bobi Wine, that there is a plot to arrest him ahead of polling day, describing the allegations as unfounded, provocative and intended to create unnecessary tension in the election period.
In a statement issued on Friday, January 02, police said there is no scheme whatsoever to detain Kyagulanyi or orchestrate incidents before election day, insisting that security agencies remain focused on facilitating peaceful and orderly elections.
“The Uganda Police Force categorically dismisses allegations of a scheme to detain candidate Kyagulanyi Sentamu or engineer incidents before election day. These assertions are unfounded and provocative,” the statement posted on X reads.
Police stressed that they are currently providing security to the NUP candidate throughout his campaign activities, adding that the primary role of security agencies is to ensure safety and calm for all political actors.
“UPF provides security for the NUP candidate throughout his campaign activities, ensuring his safety. Our effort is geared to facilitate tranquil elections, and we call upon every political actor to promote non-violence,” police said.
The force further clarified that any arrests carried out by police are done strictly in accordance with the law. “All apprehensions occur strictly in line with legal guidelines, with detainees processed in full compliance with the law,” the statement added.
Army Backs Police
The police position was echoed by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) acting spokesperson Col Chris Magezi, who dismissed Kyagulanyi’s claims as a diversion.
“This is certainly a smoke screen. What is NUP and their leader planning by coming up with this type of empty talk? The timing?” Magezi said, adding that security agencies are alert but have no plans to arrest the opposition candidate who is widely seen as the main challenger to President Museveni’s nearly four-decade rule.
“We are watching closely whatever the machinations might be, and we will be ready to take appropriate action if needed. Otherwise, the inter-agency security services can categorically state that there are no such plans whatsoever to arrest Mr Kyagulanyi at this point, unless he offends the law, of course,” Magezi said.
The police and army response came after an early Friday morning post by Kyagulanyi in which the NUP leader warned supporters of what he described as intelligence from “security circles” pointing to a plan to arrest him and trigger violence ahead of polling day.
“URGENT: I’ve learnt from security circles of a plot by the desperate regime to have me arrested before polling day in order to create a pre-emptive massacre akin to what they did in November 2020,” Kyagulanyi wrote at 11:59 am.
The pop-star turned musician claimed the alleged plan would be used to justify mass arrests, abductions and the deployment of the military, accusing security operatives of planning provocations in eastern Uganda and the use of disguised goons to frame NUP supporters as violent.
Despite the claims, Kyagulanyi urged his supporters to remain peaceful. “We urge our people to remain peaceful and non-violent BUT VERY ASSERTIVE,” he asserted.
The exchange between NUP’s Bobi Wine and security forces underscores the heightened tension surrounding security, campaigning and public order as Uganda heads toward the 2026 general elections.
While police and military authorities insist there is no intention to arrest opposition candidates, opposition leaders remain suspicious of security deployments based on past election experiences and the recent arrests targeting outspoken critics of Museveni’s government.
Uganda will go to the polls for both presidential and parliamentary elections on Thursday, January 15, 2026, with results expected 48 hours later.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
