Police promise presidential candidate Nandala protection after attack

____________________

Police in Bukedi North Region have promised to provide full protection to Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flag-bearer Nathan Nandala Mafabi following violent clashes between his supporters and those believed to be from another party in Budaka District on November 4, 2025.

According to the Bukedi North region Police Spokesperson Wilfred Kyempasa, the security forces are committed to ensuring peace and safety for all presidential candidates and their supporters throughout the campaign period.

“As police in Bukedi North Region, we are ready to protect everyone during the campaign and after the campaign because our major role is to protect life and property,” Kyempasa said in a phone interview.

He confirmed that fighting broke out between FDC and goons claiming to be supporters of another political party at Kachomo trading centre on Tuesday afternoon, forcing EC security to fire live bullets in the air to disperse the rival groups and rescue Nandala Mafabi, who was reportedly surrounded by rowdy youths.

“Fighting erupted between these two groups until Police intervened and restored sanity, enabling Nandala to speak to his supporters. Some suspects were arrested in connection with this incident and are currently detained at CPS Budaka,” Kyempasa added.

ASP Kyempasa urged all political groups to exercise restraint and follow campaign guidelines issued by the Electoral Commission, warning that acts of hooliganism and intimidation will not be tolerated.

“We appeal to all supporters to respect one another’s campaign activities. Violence undermines democracy and can lead to unnecessary loss of life and property,” he said.

He noted that Police will increased deployment in all campaigning areas to ensure peaceful campaign activities as candidates move across the Bukedi.

The Budaka incident left disappointed in fellow Opposition, and he addressed this to the media in Mbale, where he accused NUP supporters of repeatedly following and disrupting his campaign rallies across the country. He urged NUP’s leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), to tame his boys, claiming that FDC supporters had been attacked in several districts, including Masindi and Kitgum.

At Kachomo, witnesses said tensions escalated when youths carrying NUP flags and chanting party slogans attempted to block Nandala’s procession from accessing the rally ground. Scuffles ensued, leading to chaos and panic among traders and residents. Police quickly intervened to restore calm, but several people were left injured.

Five FDC supporters are reportedly hospitalised with head injuries, while others sustained bruises and property damaged. Mafabi, who was unharmed, later addressed his supporters briefly before the Police advised him to end the rally early.

During his Mbale briefing earlier, the 2026 General Election presidential candidate said his team would no longer tolerate acts of provocation from rival camps, warning that continued violence would be met with a firm response.

“We want to call on the President of NUP Kyagulanyi. You are not the only one who has monopolised violence. You will lose. And if your boys attack us again, I can assure you of capacity. We will not need the army; we will not need the Police to assist us in this. We will deal with you. The earlier you stop this exercise, the better".

"And I want to warn those who are trying to perpetrate this violence, that we are going to deal with you. I am telling my team, any slight issue where we see violence again, we must handle it now, squarely.” Nandala warned.

Unlike previous general elections, this attack is the first violent incident reported to and recorded by the Police in the campaign. Therefore, it is an isolated incident.

New Vision Online had not contacted NUP over Nandala's allegations or received a comment from the leading Opposition party at the time of publishing this story.