The influential Kingdom of Buganda is speaking out against a violent crackdown on campaign events held by opposition leader Bobi Wine, just six weeks before the country votes on January 15th.

Tensions escalated again on November 28th in Kayunga, where police fired tear gas and water cannons to break up Wine’s supporters—part of several days of similar clashes across central Uganda.

Images circulating online have shown police dogs threatening crowds, prompting rare public criticism from Buganda’s Prime Minister, Charles Peter Mayiga. He posted on X that “bullets, tear gas, dogs” are bleeding the country known as the Pearl of Africa, urging security forces to keep order without brutality.

Analysts say the use of dogs on campaign crowds marks a new and troubling escalation. Buganda remains a key stronghold for Wine’s National Unity Platform, especially among young people, making the kingdom’s condemnation particularly significant.

President Yoweri Museveni’s support has been slipping, and observers say the government is leaning heavily on security forces and the Electoral Commission to maintain control during the campaign.
The NUP claims more than 300 of its members have been arrested since