Agency
The Uganda Police Force (UPF) has launched an investigation into viral videos showing police officers defacing posters of National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.
The two videos were captured in separate areas, reportedly in City Centre and Mbale City.
In the Mbale incident, three police officers, one wearing a police T-shirt and armed with a gun, accompanied by two others from the Field Force Unit (FFU), are seen approaching two NUP supporters who were attempting to erect a large poster of Kyagulanyi on the roadside, and ordering them to remove it.
However, in a moment, the officer angrily approached the two NUP supporters, who were dressed in NUP attire, and grabbed the poster.
When they attempted to resist, one officer started tearing the poster off its stand.
The situation escalated, and the officer aimed, charging his gun and preparing to shoot.
In the video, the other officers are seen firing teargas canisters at the two NUP supporters.
NUP Spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi condemned the police’s lack of impartiality and identified the officer who tore down the poster as Mustafa Mulalira, the Officer in Charge of Operations at Mbale Central Police Station.
Another viral video shows two police officers in the city centre, near Mini Price, clashing with NUP supporters dressed in red, who were attempting to erect a large poster of Kyagulanyi on the roadside on Wednesday, the day he was nominated.
In the process, one officer grabbed the butt of his AK-45 and tore the poster of Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, before removing the remaining pieces from the roadside in the city centre near Mini Price in Kampala.
The viral videos, which have sparked criticism of police officers’ conduct, have prompted the police to announce an investigation into the incidents.
According to a statement by Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke, the investigation has been launched.
Apart from the two captured incidents, several NUP posters were removed from roads by KCCA cleaners, while others were defaced by security personnel at various locations in Kampala on Wednesday and Thursday.
