KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Electoral Commission of Uganda has issued a strong condemnation of the violent confrontations that erupted during presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu’s campaign rally in Gulu City.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The condemnation, in a statement dated December 7th, 2025, and signed by the EC Chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, is connected to an incident that occurred on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
Justice Byabakama stated that the Commission found the incident both unfortunate and unnecessary, particularly as it followed a recent high-level meeting where all parties had committed to peaceful campaigning.
The meeting, according to the Commission, had secured commitments from all attendees to ensure peaceful conduct in accordance with the law throughout the campaign period.
The statement reinforces the Commission’s core principle that violence fundamentally undermines the peaceful conduct necessary for free, fair, and credible elections.
It further reaffirmed the right of every duly nominated candidate to campaign freely across Uganda, provided they adhere to the law and Electoral Commission guidelines.
While awaiting the official investigation into the Gulu clashes, the Commission appealed for dialogue over violence to resolve campaign disputes and called for a restrained and lawful response from security forces.
The Commission has called on the Uganda Police Force to investigate the confrontation and ensure accountability under the law.
It simultaneously urged all law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint and employ proportionate, lawful means when upholding electoral guidelines.
The call for a police investigation alongside an admonition for restraint places a spotlight on the conduct of security personnel during political events.
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