Kyambogo University descended into chaos today as police attempted to arrest National Unity Platform (NUP) guild presidential candidate Benjamin Akiso during the highly contested guild elections.
The incident, which took place at the university’s main polling station sparked outrage among students leading to running battles with security forces.
The turmoil has raised questions about the fairness of the election, the role of law enforcement in student politics and the broader political climate in Uganda.
Eyewitnesses recount that tensions had been building throughout the day with allegations of election malpractice and voter intimidation circulating among students.
The situation reached a boiling point when plainclothes security operatives moved in to detain Akiso prompting his supporters to resist.
Videos circulating on social media show students chanting pro-NUP slogans while confronting police officers who responded with tear gas and arrests.
The move to arrest Akiso was met with immediate condemnation from opposition leaders and human rights activists who decried it as a blatant act of political suppression.
“This is an attack on democracy. Students should be allowed to choose their leader without interference.”
In response, the Uganda Police Force released a statement claiming that Akiso was being arrested for violating electoral regulations and inciting violence.
However, many students and opposition figures remain skeptical, arguing that similar actions have not been taken against candidates from ruling party affiliated groups.
The events at Kyambogo University mirror the wider political landscape in Uganda where opposition figures frequently face arrests, intimidation and accusations of incitement.
With the 2026 general elections on the horizon, incidents like these raise concerns about whether Uganda’s political space is shrinking further under government pressure.
