Betty Nambooze, the Member of Parliament for Mukono Municipality, has ignited a fresh political storm following remarks she made during a weekend rally in Mukono, where she sharply criticized Uganda’s security agencies. Addressing her supporters, Nambooze questioned the ability of the police, the UPDF, and the Prisons Service to suppress the will of the people, arguing that a limited number of security personnel cannot overpower millions of Ugandans seeking change.
In a video that has since gone viral, Nambooze is heard estimating that the total number of armed security personnel does not exceed 180,000. She went on to suggest that once those assigned to guard the president and secure border points are excluded, the remaining forces would be insufficient to stop what she described as a mass liberation movement by the population of about 45 million people.
Nambooze further claimed that many security officers deployed during operations are not fully armed, alleging that only a few carry live ammunition while others hold empty weapons. She urged her audience not to live in fear, insisting that the security forces are more afraid of the public than the public is of them. These remarks quickly attracted strong reactions from state security agencies.
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces responded by expressing concern over what they described as dangerous political rhetoric. UPDF spokesperson Col Chris Magyezi warned that such statements, especially when directed at young people, risk provoking violent confrontations with security personnel. He condemned calls that could be interpreted as encouraging violence and urged citizens to respect the Constitution, particularly Article 17, which outlines civic duties.
The Uganda Police Force echoed the UPDF’s position, with police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke stating that Nambooze’s comments crossed a serious line. He noted that police rarely respond publicly to political speeches, but emphasized that when they do, it signals impending action. Rusoke indicated that those making such statements would be investigated and could face court charges.
In response, Nambooze has strongly denied accusations of inciting violence. Speaking to Uganda Radio Network, she said her message was misrepresented and possibly edited to justify legal action against her. She maintained that her intention was to encourage peaceful participation in the electoral process and mutual respect between citizens and security agencies, not confrontation.
She also pointed out that similar statements about ammunition had previously been made by President Yoweri Museveni himself, arguing that her remarks were taken out of context. According to Nambooze, her core message was for citizens not to fear the police but to respect them, while also urging security officers to respect the rights of Ugandans.
The controversy unfolds against a tense political backdrop, as the country heads toward elections scheduled for the 15th. President Museveni has recently warned opposition leaders, including NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, against provoking unrest, citing the potential consequences of clashes with armed forces. With memories of past campaign violence still fresh, many Ugandans fear renewed instability, while the opposition continues to accuse the Electoral Commission of bias as the nation braces for a critical vote.
