In a tense political moment, police in Bulenga arrested 25-year-old Deo Kabira for allegedly stoning a police vehicle during a National Unity Platform (NUP) campaign event. The incident took place on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in the Nakabugo Parish area as Bobi Wine, the NUP presidential candidate, made his way to a campaign venue in Ssentema.
According to the Kampala Metropolitan Deputy Police Spokesperson, ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, Kabira is accused of hurling stones at the police vehicle, causing damage to its windscreen during the crowd control operations. “The incident occurred while Bobi Wine was en route to a campaign venue,” Owoyesigyire stated, confirming Kabira’s arrest.
This arrest follows a pattern of similar incidents during the ongoing political campaigns, with NUP supporters being accused of engaging in violent actions. Just a few months ago, in October 2025, a police raid on Bobi Wine’s campaign team in Lira City resulted in the arrest of 15 individuals. Some were later released, but the raid stemmed from reports of malicious property damage and alleged robbery.
Tensions Around Bobi Wine’s Campaign
The arrest of Kabira is not an isolated case. Police have frequently accused Bobi Wine’s supporters of engaging in violent confrontations with law enforcement during campaign rallies. Despite this, Bobi Wine has consistently called for peaceful protests and urged his supporters to remain law-abiding. Opposition figures argue that the violence often stems from provocation by the police or unjust arrests of innocent civilians.
In related news, police in the Katwe–Makindye Division are holding a 57-year-old woman, Nakanwagi Gladys Rebecca, over an assault incident. According to Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Rachael Kawala, the altercation took place on January 9, 2026, when Rebecca allegedly assaulted a 65-year-old woman, Namutebi Mariam, in Kavule Zone. Preliminary investigations are ongoing, and the case will be forwarded to the Office of the Resident State Attorney for legal review.
Political Unrest in Uganda: A Growing Trend
The arrest of Kabira highlights the growing political tensions in Uganda as the 2026 elections approach. The country’s political landscape has been marred by increasing incidents of violence, with both sides accusing each other of instigating unrest. As the campaigns continue, the focus remains on whether peace can be maintained amid the rising tensions.
President Museveni, who is also the NRM’s flagbearer for the upcoming elections, has urged for unity and discipline within the political sphere. While he emphasizes the need for peace, recent incidents like the stoning of the police vehicle by Kabira threaten to overshadow the calls for a peaceful election period.
As Uganda gears up for the 2026 elections, incidents like the stoning of a police vehicle in Bulenga remind us of the deep political divisions within the country. The challenge now is whether the political elite and their supporters can overcome these divisions to ensure a peaceful and orderly election process. With calls for unity and discipline, both from the ruling party and the opposition, the path to election day remains uncertain.