The deployment of masked security personnel at National Unity Platform (NUP) campaign rallies ahead of the Kawempe North by-election has ignited a firestorm of condemnation from political leaders, human rights defenders, and legal experts. The operatives, often armed and allegedly engaging in violent acts against NUP supporters, have drawn particular ire due to their concealed identities.
NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, took to social media to denounce the “faces of evil,” alleging that these individuals were armed with weapons and engaged in brutal assaults. He vowed legal action against those who could be identified.
Opposition leaders, including Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President Patrick Oboi Amuriat, raised concerns about the operatives’ motives, suggesting they might be foreign mercenaries or security personnel with a history of misconduct. Amuriat highlighted the difficulty in identifying them, fueling speculation about their true identities.
Alice Alaso, national coordinator of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), labeled the situation a “complete breakdown in the management of security” and a “betrayal to the Ugandans they serve.” She emphasized the importance of accountability and predicted that social media would play a role in uncovering the operatives’ identities.
Even Emmanuel Dombo, director of communications at the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) secretariat, expressed reservations, stating that the practice could encourage replication and that advancements in technology could expose the masked individuals. He questioned the security forces’ decision, suggesting they might be “ashamed of what they are doing.”
Joshua Kitakule, Secretary General of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU), condemned the practice, asserting that security personnel should identify themselves, especially when acting lawfully.
Patrick Onyango, Kampala Metropolitan Area police spokesperson, attempted to distance the police from the masked operatives, claiming that uniformed officers are identifiable. However, lawyer George Musisi countered that the practice undermines accountability and creates a “leeway to commit any forms of crime without any check.” He pointed to the lack of name tags and unmarked vehicles as further evidence of impunity.
NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya denounced the “goons” and their tactics, emphasizing that masking allows them to “wreak havoc” with impunity. Human rights defender Sarah Birete echoed these sentiments, calling the practice “out of order” and a “big shame,” highlighting its violation of regulations governing security forces.
The unified message from critics is clear: the use of masked security personnel undermines accountability, violates established protocols, and fuels concerns about human rights abuses during the by-election campaign.