As Uganda gears up for the 2026 elections, the Uganda Police Force has addressed concerns over recent clashes with politicians, emphasising that its actions are guided by public safety, law, and the need to maintain order.
Speaking at a press briefing, Police Spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said the force has tried, as much as possible, to exercise restraint in using force, but reminded the public that police are legally mandated to intervene when necessary.
"You will appreciate that we have, as much as possible, tried to restrain ourselves in the use of force," Kituuma said.
"As the Uganda Police Force, you must also accept that we are mandated by law to use force," he added.
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Kituuma explained that measures such as tear gas are only deployed to manage rowdy or potentially violent crowds, particularly during tense political rallies.
"When you see tear gas, it is applied when we are trying to disperse a rowdy crowd," he said.
He highlighted that Uganda is currently in an election period coinciding with the festive season, and that all available police officers are being deployed to ensure public safety. However, he declined to provide detailed information on who is deployed and where.
"We are in an election period and the festive season, so the Uganda Police Force is utilising every officer within its ranks to ensure the security of the people of Uganda," he said.
"The details of who has been deployed and where are not necessary to go into," he added.
Kituuma also confirmed the recent arrest of a priest, noting that the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) had officially communicated the action.
"The priest was arrested, and the UPDF issued a communication to that effect. His arrest has been confirmed," he said.
Throughout his briefing, Kituuma emphasised that the police are not targeting politicians or supporters, but aim to ensure that everyone can exercise their democratic rights safely.
"Our goal is not to target politicians or supporters, but to ensure that everyone can exercise their democratic rights without putting the public at risk," he explained.
As campaigning intensifies ahead of the January 15, 2026 elections, Kituuma's remarks underline the delicate balance the police are trying to maintain between enabling political expression and protecting the safety of the public.
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