KAMPALA, UGANDA: 07 December 2025– The Electoral Commission (EC) has issued a strong condemnation of the violent confrontations that occurred during a campaign rally for presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu in Gulu on Saturday, December 6th, 2025.
In a statement released by the EC Chairperson, Justice Byabakama Mugenyi Simon, the Commission stressed that the “unfortunate and uncalled for” incidents in Gulu at Kyagulanyi’s rally, have no place in the electoral process and is inconsistent with the spirit of free, fair, and credible elections.
The incidents which involved UPDF personnel violently assaulting members of Kyagulanyi’s campaign team, happened just days after a high-level meeting involving agents of all Presidential candidates and the Uganda Police Force, where all parties committed to peaceful conduct in accordance with the law.
The EC statement underscored the right of every duly nominated presidential candidate to traverse any part of Uganda for campaigning, provided their actions comply with the law and EC guidelines.
”If there is any disagreement on any matter on the campaign trail, the Commission appeals for dialogue, not violence and confrontation,” the statement read.
Justice Byabakama has now officially called upon the Uganda Police Force to launch a full investigation into the circumstances that led to Saturday’s confrontation.
Ensure Accountability: The police must establish the root causes of the incident and ensure that “those responsible are subjected to the full force of the law.”
Proportionate Force: The Commission further urged law enforcement agencies to “exercise restraint and use proportionate, lawful and humane means” while enforcing electoral compliance.
The Electoral Commission reiterated its commitment to upholding a peaceful electoral environment and awaits the outcome of the police investigation to better understand the incident in Gulu.
