Appearing before Parliament’s Defence Committee to present ministerial policy statements for the 2025/26 financial year, The Deputy Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Lieutenant-General Sam Okiding has apologised for the brutality exhibited by security forces during the Kawempe North by-election.
Videos showed journalists, candidates and their supporters as well as election observers being assaulted by security personnel, the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JAT) in operation, during the electioneering for the March 13 by-election.
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The Lieutenan-General responded to queries raised by Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo, who demanded an update on disciplinary measures taken against soldiers involved in the violence.
Okiding acknowledged the incidents, attributing them to “operational mistakes” and acts of provocation but emphasized that such conduct does not align with the army’s doctrine.
“Those were operational mistakes that occurred out of provocation. It is not our doctrine, but among 1,000 soldiers, there will always be those who struggle to control their patience. However, their reaction did not warrant such a degree of force,” he submitted.
He further assured the committee that a disciplinary committee has been established to investigate the matter, and some of the implicated officers have already been arrested.
“We have taken action, and some of the personnel involved have been apprehended. A committee has been constituted to carry out investigations,” Okiding stated.
Before and during the Kawempe North by-election, a series of violent incidents marred the chaotic process.
Militia dresses in red army-like attire, Journalists, many of whom were covering the election, were targeted by security forces.
Many were arrested, and a dozen others, including NBS Television’s Francis Isano, sustained injuries after being beaten by hooded personnel.
In the days leading up to the election, opposition supporters, particularly those aligned with the National Unity Platform (NUP), were also subjected to violence.
Soldiers forcibly ejected NUP supporters from designated areas, while others were beaten and chased away from polling stations.
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