As concerns mount over increasing brutality by security operatives in the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election, the Uganda Law Society (ULS) has called for the protection of democratic principles and human rights.
Speaking at a press conference in Kampala, ULS President Anthony Asiimwe criticised security forces, including the Uganda Police Force, the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT), and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), for using excessive force against National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters.
He described incidents of beatings, live bullets, and tear gas as unacceptable.
Asiimwe also raised concerns over the arrest of NUP candidate, lawyer Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, shortly after his nomination by the Electoral Commission, warning that such actions undermine electoral integrity and erode public trust in democracy.
“These actions are a clear violation of fundamental human rights and democratic principles. Article 69(1) of the 1995 Constitution guarantees Ugandans the right to choose their political system through free and fair elections. However, this cannot be realised in an environment tainted with fear, intimidation, and violence,” Asiimwe said.
The ULS warned that such violations during a by-election raise serious concerns about the 2026 general elections.
It called on security agencies to refrain from excessive force and urged the Electoral Commission to uphold fairness and transparency in the electoral process.
“We will not stand by as democratic principles are trampled upon. We are committed to defending the rule of law and human rights,” Asiimwe added, vowing to receive complaints from victims and pursue legal action against those responsible.
Concerns Over Military Presence
The by-election has attracted ten candidates, but reports of intimidation persist.
Umaru Magara, who recently withdrew his candidacy, claimed that violence began on February 26th when Nalukoola was abducted by security forces for wearing NUP attire. He said heavy military deployment in the area could deter voters.
Marvin Saasi, from NUP’s legal department, alleged that the government is using trumped-up charges to silence opposition figures.
He accused security forces of deliberately targeting journalists and opposition supporters to instill fear.
Journalists, Increasing Threats
The Uganda Journalists Association (UJA) has also condemned attacks on the press. UJA General Secretary Emmanuel Kirunda reported four recent cases of press violations, three linked to the Kawempe by-election.
Among them is Musa Ssewakambo, who was detained while covering a court case, and two journalists forced to delete footage by police. Another, Miracle Ibrahim, sustained an eye injury.
Kirunda recalled similar assaults in 2021 when journalists covering opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi were attacked by UPDF officers.
A court later ruled in favor of the journalists, ordering the government to compensate them with 75 million Ugandan shillings each.
As the Kawempe North by-election continues, civil society groups are calling for accountability, urging authorities to guarantee a free and fair electoral process without intimidation or violence.
END
English 