Armed men in plainclothes patrol downtown Kampala on November 19, 2020 after protests broke out for the second day following the arrest of then-presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, in Luuka District Photos | File
Concerns are emerging that the violence that marred the Kawempe North Member of Parliament by-election campaigns last week is a familiar pattern that sees paramilitary groups emerging towards General Elections.
The emergence of the National Unity Platform (NUP) has rattled the status quo in the Opposition rankings and deflected pre-election violence from other parties.
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NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya says the emergence of the Joint Anti-Terrorism Task Force (JATT) has worried them.
"Remember, we had the Kalangala Action Plan (KAP), Kiboko Squad, Black Mamba, and Crime Preventers; you know what they did during the Togikwatako [presidential age limit debate].
"We are very concerned, but that shows you how the regime has operated each time before an election. Do you remember the Ghetto Structure and Afande (Christopher) Damulira’s threat to deal with NUP? We condemn these actions in the strongest terms possible," Mr Rubongoya said at the weekend.
He added: "If courts were working, they could pronounce themselves on the matter, especially on what roles are for the police, not paramilitary groups like the JATT who are covering their faces.
"If it is Police, we know we are going for the Inspector General of Police (IGP) or the Police Director of Operations; but with all these criminal gangs, it becomes very difficult."
JATT
Election violence in Uganda can be traced backwards starting with the JATT, which until the Kawempe North by-election, not much was known about this group of security operatives wearing an all-black uniform with JATT inscriptions and matching tactical gloves, face masks and sunglasses to conceal their identity.
Its machinists operate a tight-knit code of clandestine manoeuvres, making it difficult for the Opposition and sections of Ugandans to penetrate its secretive world.
NUP President, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), has often referred to them as "thugs", "criminal gangs" and "hooded criminals".
However, it is a government security agency created through the Anti-Terrorism Act (2002) primarily to fight the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in Northern Uganda, a rebel outfit that was 2001 blacklisted by Washington as a terrorist organisation.
However, it has since drawn international criticism, with claims of torture and illegal detention of suspects, charges which have been denied by the government.
But videos of its operatives beating up National Unity Platform supporters and firing live bullets and teargas over NUP crowds last week got tongues wagging and drew condemnation from Members of Parliament.
1996 elections
This was the first time the country got a chance to directly elect a president, and that election was widely seen as a contest between supporters of incumbent Museveni’s "No Party" system and proponents of political pluralism.
In that election, then President General of the Democratic Party (DP), Dr Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere, who was the candidate of the Inter-Political Forces Cooperation (IPFC), and Mr Mohammed Kibirige Mayanja took on the incumbent.
Violence, however, erupted on April 9 during Mr Mayanja’s campaign rally in Masindi Town, when his supporters were allegedly pelted with stones before the police swung into action and made several arrests.
Later in Rukungiri Town, pro-National Resistance Movement (NRM) youth, who had been hosted to a bull roasting party outside Sky Hotel, blocked Mr Ssemogerere for hours, forcing him to cancel most of his campaign activities, and when he eventually left the hotel, his motorcade was stoned.
Claims that some of his supporters had been killed during the campaigns could not be independently verified.
JATT personnel beat up a NUP party supporter
Crime preventers
This civilian band of often clean-shaven, baton-wielding vigilantes was thrust into the limelight ahead of the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections.
However, little was known about their actual number, conscription and training with then Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura, targeting 1.6 million.
While President Museveni, who presided over their pass-outs, described their role as "preventing petty crimes", the Opposition opposed their deployment and often accused them of human rights abuses or as a tool aimed at intimidating or reducing their support.
This sparked calls from human rights organisations on the government to suspend their operations. However, the then Police Spokesperson, Mr Fred Enanga, said their actions were not the Force’s responsibility. Ahead of the February 2016 General Elections, Gen Kayihura said they had already policed several rallies.
2001 polls
The 2001 presidential election was perhaps the most violent in the country’s political history as it pitted Mr Museveni against his Bush War physician and NRM insider, Dr Kizza Besigye, for the top seat.
The campaigns were marred by violence that Parliament was forced to constitute a committee to investigate the brutality, mainly against Dr Besigye’s supporters.
The findings implicated several government officials, including then-presidential adviser on political affairs, Maj Roland Kakooza-Mutale, and his paramilitary group, the Kalangala Action Plan (KAP). Maj Mutale always denied the accusations.
What others say:
Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye, Defence Public Information Officer (DPIO): "The JATT isn’t a paramilitary group, but it was established by an act of Parliament."
Mr Fred Ebil, Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Secretary General: "It is very unfortunate in the 21st Century for our nation to reverse all the little democratic achievements made since the promulgation of the 1995 Constitution."
Mr Mathias Mpuuga, the Nyendo-Mukungwe legislator: "The violence witnessed in the Kawempe North by-election is a rehearsal of what awaits Ugandans in the next General Elections."
Mr Nicholas Opiyo, human rights lawyer: "The Kawempe North by-election is 'a dry run' for what is to come in the next General Election."
Mr Chrispin Kaheru, Independent Election Analyst and member of the Uganda Human Rights Commission: "What happened in Kawempe North is troubling and could signal a bigger issue for the 2026 General Elections."
Mr Julius Mucunguzi, EC Spokesperson: "Police are allowed to seek the support of law agencies; it is their prerogative. Speak to the Police to tell you under what situations they determine that they need support from other security agencies."
Mr Kituuma Rusoke, Police Spokesman: "If you want to contest JATT’s legitimacy, there is a legal procedure through which you can question whether it is a legitimate security establishment or not."
