Uganda's election season started out weirdly chill in September when eight presidential candidates got nominated, with President Yoweri Museveni facing off against Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) and six others. The Electoral Commission was hyped about the peaceful vibes, but that lasted about five seconds before things went sideways in November with police blocking NUP rallies and deploying tear gas against Kyagulanyi's supporters in Kawempe.
The whole thing blew up when cops shot and killed NUP supporter Meshach Okello after a rally in Iganga district, plus three other people got hospitalized with serious injuries. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke claims they're investigating and that officers were briefed against being overzealous, but opposition figures and human rights lawyers aren't buying it.
Critics say the security forces are basically an arm of the ruling party at this point, and lawyer Peter Walubiri straight up called the early peaceful phase a trap to lure everyone in before the real crackdown starts.
The whole thing blew up when cops shot and killed NUP supporter Meshach Okello after a rally in Iganga district, plus three other people got hospitalized with serious injuries. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke claims they're investigating and that officers were briefed against being overzealous, but opposition figures and human rights lawyers aren't buying it.
Critics say the security forces are basically an arm of the ruling party at this point, and lawyer Peter Walubiri straight up called the early peaceful phase a trap to lure everyone in before the real crackdown starts.
