The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has joined a growing chorus of condemnation from civic groups and human rights defenders, following the violent crackdown on National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters in Mbarara. The incident, which unfolded last week, has sparked widespread outrage across the country, with calls for urgent reforms to ensure electoral integrity and respect for political freedoms as Uganda approaches the 2025 general elections.
What started as a peaceful NUP campaign rally in Mbarara rapidly turned chaotic after security forces surrounded the group, arresting and beating dozens of supporters, journalists, and activists. The crackdown has raised serious questions about the government’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and protecting citizens’ rights during a sensitive election period.
According to eyewitnesses and NUP officials, a convoy of supporters and candidates traveling to Bwizibwera Town Council was met with overwhelming force by police and military personnel. Over 100 individuals—including party members, journalists, and NUP parliamentary candidates—were detained without clear cause. Many of those arrested were subjected to physical abuse, with several reportedly suffering severe injuries, while others were taken to undisclosed locations, leaving families in deep distress.
Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, the NUP presidential candidate and renowned opposition leader, condemned the arrests, labeling them as politically motivated and part of a wider strategy to intimidate opposition supporters ahead of the 2025 elections. Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, also called for the immediate release of all detained individuals and demanded a full investigation into the actions of the security forces.
In response to the events, the Uganda Law Society issued a strong statement, calling on the authorities to explain the rationale behind the violent operation. The ULS dismissed the police’s claims that the arrests were related to past alleged offenses committed during earlier NUP campaign events, labeling these explanations as unconvincing and an attempt to deflect attention from the unlawful nature of the crackdown.
The ULS further questioned why authorities had not issued lawful summons or public notices to those targeted for arrest, as required by Uganda’s legal framework. Instead, the Society highlighted the use of arbitrary detention and forced disappearances as a blatant violation of constitutional rights, including the right to freedom of assembly and expression.
“This was not just a breach of the law; it was an attempt to stifle free political participation in Uganda,” said the ULS in a public statement. “The actions of the security forces amounted to a direct attack on the democratic process, obstructing NUP’s peaceful campaign and intimidating its supporters.”
The Law Society emphasized that the right to peaceful assembly and the right to participate in elections are fundamental to any functioning democracy, and that the ongoing suppression of opposition activities not only undermines the rule of law but also threatens to destabilize Uganda’s political landscape as the 2025 general elections approach.
In addition to demanding the release of all detained individuals, the ULS urged the government to ensure that any investigations into the conduct of security personnel are conducted transparently, without political interference. The Society also called for the immediate cessation of excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and other tactics that undermine the rights of citizens to engage in political activities.
The ULS pledged to offer legal support to those affected by the crackdown, including through pro bono representation for those detained and injured during the operation. It also called on the international community to remain vigilant in monitoring the situation in Uganda, as the increasing militarization of the country’s political environment raises alarms about the prospects for free and fair elections in 2025.
While the immediate aftermath of the Mbarara crackdown has focused on the need for accountability and justice for the victims, it also highlights broader concerns about the state of Uganda’s electoral system. Observers fear that the growing use of violence and intimidation against opposition parties, particularly NUP, could escalate as the election cycle intensifies. The international community has increasingly warned that such actions could lead to a further erosion of political freedoms and the rule of law in Uganda.
As civil society groups and political leaders continue to demand action, the Uganda Law Society’s intervention has sparked a wider conversation about electoral fairness, human rights, and the urgent need for legal reforms to ensure free and transparent elections. The ULS statement underscores a critical demand for political inclusion, justice for victims, and the protection of all Ugandans’ rights in the lead-up to what many see as one of the most contentious elections in the country’s history.
The situation in Mbarara is just one chapter in a broader narrative of rising political repression in Uganda, with many fearing that the heavy-handed tactics used against NUP supporters will set a dangerous precedent as the country moves toward the 2025/26 general elections.
The Uganda Law Society, alongside other civil society organizations, has vowed to continue to press for justice and accountability, making it clear that the right to peaceful political participation cannot be compromised without serious consequences for Uganda’s democratic future.
Posts
0 Comments