Mityana, Uganda – A procession by the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), organized to inaugurate the party’s new offices in Busimbi, Mityana District, was disrupted by police in a tense standoff that left supporters scattered and leaders accusing authorities of supressing political activity.
The march, led by senior PFF figures including Dr. Lulume Bayigga (Deputy President for Buganda), Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (Party Spokesperson), and Waswa Birigwa, were intercepted by security officers under the command of District Police Commander (DPC) Steven Ojok.
Police insisted the party had not secured formal clearance for the procession, prompting the deployment of crowd-control measures. Tear gas canisters were fired into the air, dispersing the gathering and forcing leaders to negotiate under tight security.
Despite the setback, a smaller group of officials, escorted by police, successfully commissioned the new offices amid chants and applause from supporters who had regrouped at the site.
“This was meant to be a peaceful celebration, and we duly notified the authorities. Instead, it has been turned into yet another example of how opposition voices are suppressed in this country,” Dr. Bayigga said.
Party spokesperson Ssemujju Nganda echoed similar sentiments, accusing the police of criminalizing political organization while insisting the PFF would not be deterred by intimidation.
Mityana DPC Steven Ojok blocked the procession, citing a lack of official clearance. Tear gas was used to disperse crowds before allowing a reduced delegation to proceed.
PFF leaders condemned the disruption as an infringement on their political rights. Dr. Bayigga maintained that the event had been pre-notified and that it was intended to remain peaceful.
The confrontation mirrors a pattern of police interventions against opposition events across Uganda. With the 2026 general elections approaching, the incident raises concerns over political freedoms and the narrowing of the democratic space.
Mityana standoff underscores the delicate balance between political mobilization and state regulation in Uganda’s multiparty politics. While police frame their interventions as enforcement of lawful procedures, opposition groups argue they are facing systematic suppression.
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