A police truck collided with the vehicle of Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate for Kawempe North, during a chaotic confrontation along Gayaza Road in Kawempe Division.
The incident occurred as police attempted to block NUP supporters from proceeding to Komamboga for Nalukoola’s final campaign rally ahead of the highly anticipated March 13 by-election.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that tensions flared when police set up roadblocks to prevent the NUP procession from reaching their rally venue.
As supporters resisted the blockade, law enforcement officers resorted to force, firing teargas and live bullets to disperse the crowd.
Amid the turmoil, a police truck was caught on camera wrecked alongside Nalukoola’s vehicle, leaving debris scattered on the road.
“The police truck came at high speed and hit Nalukoola’s car as they tried to break up the crowd. It was a chaotic scene, and people were running in all directions,” said an eyewitness who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal.
The collision left Nalukoola’s car severely damaged, with shattered windows and dents visible on the body.
The extent of damage to the police vehicle remains unclear, but footage from the scene showed the wreckage of both vehicles, further highlighting the intensity of the confrontation.
As the situation escalated, police moved to arrest Nalukoola, preventing him from proceeding with his campaign activities.
According to sources, an unspecified number of his supporters were also taken into custody, with one individual sustaining injuries as security forces fired live bullets and teargas into the crowd.
“The brutality we witnessed today is unacceptable,” said a supporter who narrowly escaped arrest. “Nalukoola was simply exercising his right to campaign, but the police chose violence instead.”
The Uganda Police Force has not yet issued an official statement regarding the crash or the circumstances surrounding Nalukoola’s arrest.
However, opposition members and human rights activists have condemned the excessive use of force, describing it as a blatant attempt to suppress political competition ahead of the by-election.
NUP leaders, including party president Robert Kyagulanyi (also known as Bobi Wine), have repeatedly accused security forces of targeting opposition candidates with violent crackdowns.
The latest confrontation adds to a growing list of reported incidents where opposition figures have faced intimidation and arrests during election periods.
Political analysts suggest that the chaotic scenes in Kawempe reflect deeper tensions between opposition parties and state security agencies, particularly in Kampala, where NUP enjoys strong support.
The March 13 by-election is seen as a crucial contest, and Nalukoola’s arrest just days before the polls raises concerns over the fairness of the electoral process.
Meanwhile, social media has been flooded with videos and images from the crash site, sparking outrage among Ugandans who are calling for police accountability.
Many have expressed fears that such incidents could discourage voter participation and deepen political divisions in the country.
As investigations into the crash and subsequent arrests continue, pressure is mounting on authorities to ensure a transparent and violence-free electoral process.
Whether Nalukoola will be released in time to resume his campaign remains uncertain, but his arrest has undoubtedly added another layer of controversy to an already tense by-election period.
This developing story continues to unfold as Ugandans await further updates from both the police and political leaders
