Rukiga, Uganda – The Inspector General of Police, Abasi Byakagaba, has issued a strong warning to political candidates and their supporters against engaging in violent clashes during the ongoing campaign period.
The police chief emphasized the force’s readiness to deal decisively with any election-related violence during a meeting with political candidates at Rukiga District Headquarters’ Rukiko Hall on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Speaking during the closed-door meeting as part of his official tour of the Kigezi region, Byakagaba stressed that the police force’s primary mandate is to maintain law and order without favoring any political side.
“Any security personnel found complicit in partisan activities or used for political gain will face swift and severe consequences, including disciplinary action. I will personally oversee the enforcement of our code of conduct, ensuring our officers uphold the highest standards of impartiality and professionalism,” IGP Byakagaba assured stakeholders amid the heated campaign season in Rukiga District.
The IGP was accompanied by a high-level police delegation including Director of Operations Good Mwesigwa, Crime Prevention Commander Bamunoba Ubarido, Field Force Unit Commander John Nuwagira, National Police Spokesperson ACP Kituma Rusoke, and Head of Protocol ACP Zura Ganyana.
The team began their regional tour in Kabale District on Thursday, July 10, where they met with local leaders and addressed regional police personnel including all District Police Commanders and their management teams.
Rukiga Resident District Commissioner Kamusiime Zadok, the district’s security chairperson, welcomed the police boss and commended officers for maintaining peace in the area.
He particularly praised the police force’s role in providing security during the recently concluded NRM joint campaigns, noting their effectiveness in protecting both people and property.
The meeting revealed district political tensions, with incumbent Woman MP Caroline Kamusiime Muhwezi denying allegations that her husband intimidated people with a firearm, asserting he owns no gun.
Caroline Kamusiime raised concerns about the District NRM Chairperson Kyerere Frank, accusing him of taking sides in the campaigns a claim that affects candidates from both competing factions.
Former Woman MP aspirant Abigail Victoria Atukunda added to the heated discussion by alleging that she would have won the previous election had the incumbent not involved security personnel to intimidate and harass her supporters.
Atukunda called on police to maintain their professional neutrality throughout the ongoing electoral process and in response, IGP Byakagaba personally committed to ensuring the proper conduct of security forces during the election period.
Rukiga District has a longstanding history of intense political rivalry, dating back to the era of former legislator Jack Sabiiti and his late political opponent Manzi Tumubwine.
During the recent NRM joint campaigns, Rukiga County MP aspirants Patrick Katabazi Kiconco and Alex Magezi Kanuga exchanged heated accusations in their respective speeches.