Police has strongly denied allegations by National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, that security agencies are planning to arrest him ahead of polling day to trigger chaos and justify a heavy military deployment.
In a statement, police dismissed the claims as “unfounded and provocative,” insisting there is no scheme to detain the opposition candidate or stage incidents before the election.
Police said their role remains to ensure a peaceful electoral process and the safety of all candidates.
“The Uganda Police Force categorically dismisses allegations of a scheme to detain candidate Kyagulanyi Sentamu or engineer incidents before election day,” the statement read.
“UPF provides security for the NUP candidate throughout his campaign activities, ensuring his safety.”
Police further emphasized that their operations are guided strictly by the law, noting that any arrests are carried out within legal guidelines.
“All apprehensions occur strictly in line with legal procedures, with detainees processed in full compliance with the law,” UPF said, while calling on political actors to promote non-violence and help maintain calm during the election period.
Kyagulanyi, however, has raised alarm over what he described as intelligence reports pointing to a plot to arrest him before polling day.
In his statement, he claimed the alleged plan is aimed at provoking unrest similar to the November 2020 violence.
He accused security agencies of planning to stage confrontations in eastern Uganda and deploy individuals dressed in NUP colours to portray his party as violent.
Kyagulanyi urged his supporters to remain peaceful but “very assertive” as tensions rise ahead of the polls.
The exchange highlights growing mistrust between opposition figures and security agencies as the country heads into a crucial election period, with police reiterating their commitment to orderly, non-violent elections.
