Mbale City OC Operations Mulalira and others Face Arrest, Charges of Tearing NUP Posters.

Police have started  investigations  in which their own  police officers including the officer in charge operations at Mbale CPS Mulalira Mustapha  Muleyi  were filmed tearing a banner of the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, in Mbale City.

A viral video circulating on different social media channels shows an apparent police officer clad in police uniform with their riffles coached and teargas canisters tearing down a giant poster before being confronted by two NUP supporters.

In the footage, the four police officers commanded by a one  identified as Mustafa Muliira clad in  a plain black T-a shirt with a pistol around his waist appears ripping off the poster and when confronted, the one who defaced the poster is seen stepping back before pulling out a pistol and taking aim and firing shots as the altercation escalated.

In a statement released by police on Thursday, afternoon police confirmed they had noted the videos and the errant officers would face arrest and charges of tearing a presidential campaign poster.

“The Uganda Police Force has taken note of two videos circulating on social media showing police officers allegedly tearing a candidate’s poster during operations”. the statement read in parts.

“These incidents reportedly took place on September 24, 2025, in Mbale City and the Central Business District of Kampala. The footage shows an altercation between police officers and supporters of the NUP, leading to the dispersal of the supporters. During this process, some campaign materials were
damaged”.  The police statement further pointed out adding that an inquiry is underway.

The Uganda Police Force has launched an investigation into these allegations, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry.

The video has drawn sharp criticism online, particularly from NUP. Party spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi accused police of double standards, noting that the poster had been created by party coordinators and
taken to NUP’s Mbale office.
“Uganda Police, we’ve seen NRM supporters with huge posters of their candidate in different cities and towns. Is it a crime if the poster is for the NUP candidate” Ssenyonyi asked.

Bobi Wine said a similar incident was filmed in Nateete, whose video clip he shared on his X account showing officers in khaki uniforms deface a giant campaign poster.
On 24th September 2025 after  Kyagulanyi’s nomination rally was done, one Mukunja Atasera, one of Bobi Wine’s Favorite musicians was shot in the leg sustaining injuries.

This came just hours after the Electoral Commission completed the nomination of presidential candidates for the 2026 elections, confirming eight (8) contenders for the country’s top office.