Joel Ssenyonyi, spokesperson for Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP), told Reuters that the arrests include dozens detained this week in Kampala, where Wine launched his campaign on Monday.
“Over 300 have been detained since the campaigns started. The regime is in panic and resorting to arrests to instil fear,” Ssenyonyi said, adding that those detained include ordinary supporters, campaign coordinators and some of Wine’s aides. Ugandan police did not respond to requests for comment.
On Monday, security forces used tear gas and water cannon to disperse crowds at a rally in Kampala’s Kawempe district, according to footage broadcast by NTV. A video posted later on Wine’s X account also showed police pepper-spraying supporters, while a plainclothes man was seen beating people with a cane.
Ssenyonyi said at least 100 people were arrested on Monday, and more were picked up at another rally on Tuesday on the city’s outskirts.
Police said they had arrested seven people after clashes with Wine’s supporters, accusing them of throwing stones and injuring officers. “Public order measures” were used to control the crowd, the statement said. Wine continues to allege that Museveni won the previous election through intimidation, bribery and ballot rigging, accusations the ruling party rejects.
A win for Museveni in January would extend his rule in Uganda to nearly 50 years.