Uganda’s main opposition party says more than 300 supporters and officials have been arrested since presidential campaigning began last month. The detentions, according to the National Unity Platform (NUP), have intensified as opposition leader Bobi Wine launched his campaign in Kampala this week.
Wine—born Robert Kyagulanyi—is challenging President Yoweri Museveni, 81, for the second time in the upcoming January election. Museveni, who has ruled since 1986, has twice changed the constitution to eliminate age and term limits, enabling him to extend his decades-long stay in power.
NUP spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi told Reuters that security forces detained dozens of people in Kampala as Wine kicked off his campaign on Monday.
“Over 300 people have been arrested since campaigns began. The regime is panicking and using arrests to intimidate and instil fear,” he said.
Most of those detained are regular supporters, but the arrests also include campaign coordinators, aides, and senior party officials. Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma did not respond to requests for comment.
Footage broadcast by NTV showed security forces firing tear gas and using water cannons to disperse crowds at Wine’s first rally in the Kawempe area. A video posted on Wine’s X account also appeared to show police using pepper spray, while a plain-clothed man was seen beating supporters with a cane.
Ssenyonyi said at least 100 people were arrested on Monday, with more detentions reported during another rally on Tuesday on the outskirts of Kampala.
Police, however, said in a Monday statement that they detained seven people after clashes in which some of Wine’s supporters allegedly threw stones, injuring seven officers.
