In a dramatic turn of events along Gayaza Road in Kawempe Division, a police truck collided with the vehicle of Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate for Kawempe North, as tensions escalated during a confrontation with law enforcement. The incident unfolded as police attempted to block NUP supporters from attending Nalukoola’s final campaign rally ahead of the March 13 by-election.
Eyewitnesses report that the clash began when police set up roadblocks to prevent the NUP procession from proceeding to Komamboga, where Nalukoola was scheduled to hold his rally. As supporters resisted, police resorted to aggressive measures, deploying teargas and live ammunition to disperse the crowd.
Amid the chaos, a police truck was captured on video crashing into Nalukoola’s vehicle, leaving a scene of wreckage and debris scattered across the road. “The police truck came at high speed and struck Nalukoola’s car while trying to break up the crowd,” one eyewitness described, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to fears of retaliation. “It was absolute chaos, and people were running in all directions.”
Nalukoola’s car sustained significant damage, with shattered windows and visible dents. The extent of the damage to the police vehicle remains unclear, but footage from the scene showed both vehicles in a severely damaged state, underscoring the intensity of the confrontation.
As the situation worsened, police arrested Nalukoola and prevented him from continuing his campaign activities. Sources say several of his supporters were also taken into custody, with one individual reportedly injured during the chaos as police fired live rounds and teargas into the crowd.
A supporter of Nalukoola, who narrowly avoided arrest, condemned the police actions, calling them “unacceptable.” “Nalukoola was simply exercising his right to campaign, but the police chose violence instead,” the supporter said.
While the Uganda Police Force has yet to release an official statement on the collision or Nalukoola’s arrest, opposition figures and human rights activists have sharply criticized the excessive use of force, accusing the government of attempting to suppress political competition just days before the crucial by-election.
The NUP party, led by Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), has consistently accused security forces of targeting opposition candidates with violence and intimidation. This latest incident in Kawempe adds to a troubling pattern of crackdowns on opposition figures during election periods.
Political analysts suggest that the clashes in Kawempe are reflective of the deepening tensions between opposition parties and security agencies, particularly in Kampala, where NUP has a significant support base. The timing of Nalukoola’s arrest, just days before the by-election, has raised concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.
Social media platforms have been flooded with videos and images from the crash site, sparking widespread outrage among Ugandans, many of whom are now questioning the accountability of police forces. There are fears that such violent incidents could discourage voter participation and further divide the country politically.
As investigations into the crash and the subsequent arrests continue, pressure is building on authorities to ensure a transparent and peaceful election process. It remains uncertain whether Nalukoola will be released in time to resume his campaign, but his arrest has certainly added another layer of controversy to an already fraught by-election period.
The situation is developing, and Ugandans are eagerly awaiting further updates from both police and political leaders as tensions continue to rise ahead of the March 13 by-election.
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