The Government has washed its hands clean of the violence rocking the Kawempe North by-election, claiming that the brutality unleashed on citizens is not state-sanctioned.

Minister of Trade, Hon. David Bahati, speaking on behalf of the Government, told Parliament that those responsible for the chaos should be held accountable.

“We made it clear last week ,there is no state-sponsored violence in these elections,” Bahati declared. “The Government has not sanctioned this. People who are harming voters must be brought to book. We are working to protect the freedoms that the NRM fought for, ensuring Ugandans elect their leaders freely.”

But that explanation didn’t sit well with the former Leader of Opposition Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, who tore into the Government, accusing it of promoting impunity.

“Tell us, who has ever been punished for election violence?” Mpuuga shot back. “We all know the officer who shot journalist Ashraf Kasirye! Kasirye is in exile in the US, but his shooter? Promoted! That’s the Uganda we live in today.”

Mpuuga also questioned the presence of heavily armed soldiers in what was supposed to be a civilian election.

“Why is the military deployed in a by-election? Are we at war?” he asked. “The Electoral Commission is powerless! They pretend to be in charge, but they can’t even control the process. If this Government doesn’t want elections, let them just say so and rule by martial law!”

The former Leader of Opposition expressed concern that Kawempe North is just the beginning.

“This violence? It’s just a rehearsal for 2026. What’s happening now is nothing compared to what Ugandans should brace for in the next elections,” Mpuuga predicted.

He also blasted Parliament for turning a blind eye to human rights abuses.

“You ordered a statement on missing Ugandans, and the deadline passed, nothing happened. Now, beating people half to death in Kawempe? Just another normal day in Uganda,” he fumed.

Adding that : “Parliament, which should be protecting citizens, is just watching. And the powerful? They keep getting away with murder, literally.”