The overall situation remains generally calm despite isolated incidents of violence involving various political actors and camps.
Campaigning for the NRM primaries for Member of Parliament and LC 5 Chairperson has officially ended.
While the political parties and the Electoral Commission have issued clear guidelines, and the relevant laws are in place, the conduct of some candidates, aspirants, and their agents at times deviates from these regulations. We have observed rising tensions manifesting in violent attacks, hiring of goons, vandalism of vehicles, waylaying of rival parties, and the use of radio platforms to defame opponents through malicious allegations and sectarian innuendos.
Additionally, disruptive behaviours such as deploying noisy public address systems to interrupt rallies have been reported.
In response, we have mapped out electoral hotspots and engaged political actors and other stakeholders extensively. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has conducted physical visits and assessments in districts including Sembabule, Mbarara, Isingiro, Kabale, Rukiga, and Rukungiri, meeting with political actors, district security committees, and candidates involved in the NRM primaries. District security committees are actively working to promote harmony and maintain order.
In some instances, crowds have been dispersed, and arrests have been made where necessary. Notably, several areas have experienced total peace and civility.
As the police, in collaboration with sister security agencies, we remain fully committed to ensuring a peaceful election. Our focus will be on managing order during the voting process. We will not tolerate crowds at tally centres, nor will firearms be allowed within these centres.
Candidates are permitted a specific number of agents at tally centres, and anyone attempting to bring unauthorized individuals or goons will be denied entry.
We do not expect any campaigning beyond today. We continue to work closely with other security agencies to safeguard the integrity and peaceful conduct of the election process.
We urge all political actors and citizens to uphold peace and respect the electoral laws and guidelines.
ACP KITUUMA RUSOKE
PRO-UPF
