
“Security operatives got into a confrontation with National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters during Elias Nalukoola’s campaign drive moments ago in Kawempe” (Patro Uganda, 03.03.2025).
“The NRM aspirant for Kawempe North, Faridah Nambi has unveiled a list of programmes she plans to implement for her constituents if elected to parliament. Nambi said her manifesto prioritizes lobbying funds to empower women and youths who she says are suffering most due to the prevailing economic hardships as a result of lack of jobs” (NRM Party, 03.03.2025).
“The Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, has criticized the government and law enforcement agencies for resorting to violence against opposition politicians and the public during the nomination process for the Kawempe North parliamentary seat” (Radio5 Uganda, 03.03.2025).
Today we are seeing the Warzone Aka By-Election in the Kawempe North, which is in campaign mode ahead of the 13th of March 2025 polls. The state is already besieged the area and is prepared for whatever that goes down. The authorities and the security agencies were ordered on the streets and be active.
This isn’t even about who’s the candidates or if they have the right merit to be elected. At this moment we are just seeing the system and state target the biggest opposition party. They are using drones, tear-gas and live bullets. The security organizations like Uganda Police Force and Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force (JATT or JATF) are participate in it. These two entities are using force and being violent towards citizens and activists in this By-Election. Nothing new here, but it is shown by the videos online and pictures gone viral too.
The messaging of the candidates lose weight or meaning when people are hurt, arrested, kidnapped and possibly made into felons over participating in the by-election. The state is targeting it and using their power to intimidate, threaten and trying to silence the opposition. This is why they are targeting the NUP especially, as they know that is the biggest challenger.
It is just telling that it has come to this. The state is using force and their monopoly on violence to order it to the streets. Instead of coming with favours and giving way. They are going after the people and the citizens who happens to be there.
The Kawempe North By-Election is now marred with tear-gas, live bullets and drones. That is misuse of power and shows how they are operating. This shows how the state is willing to use force and what sort of “elections” that is going on. Those sorts of actions don’t happen when the yellow candidate is passing through the same streets. No, this happens when the reds are getting there. That’s what we see, and it is so obvious. The ones that state doesn’t fear or is worried about. This is who walks safely, but the who challenge the state is hit with blunt force. Peace.










