State Security Clamps Down on Nambooze Over Claims Soldiers Carry Empty Guns

The Uganda Police Force and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have strongly condemned recent political remarks made by Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament, Betty Nambooze, describing them as dangerous and inciting. Security agencies say Nambooze’s statements, which compared the number of security personnel to Uganda’s population during times of unrest, amount to incitement and could fuel violent confrontation. Authorities have since indicated that she will be arrested and produced in court to answer for the comments.

The controversy stems from remarks Nambooze made during one of her weekend rallies in Mukono, where she launched a sharp critique of Uganda’s security agencies, including the police, UPDF, and the Prisons Service. In a speech that has since gone viral on social media, Nambooze challenged the numerical strength and operational capacity of the country’s security forces, arguing that they could not suppress the will of the population.

During the rally, Nambooze stated that 180,000 security personnel could not stop 45 million Ugandans from “liberating Uganda.” In the viral video, she is heard estimating that the entire armed forces do not exceed 18,0000 security personnel after accounting for presidential security details and officers deployed to guard Uganda’s borders.

“When you subtract the numbers guarding the president and those on border points, can the remaining numbers stop the 45 million Ugandans from liberating Uganda?” Nambooze said. “Don’t be scared. Museveni is scared of soldiers, out of 10, only one is armed with ammunition, and the others hold empty guns.”

She went on to make even more provocative claims about the arming of security personnel, adding: “Those you see with electric wires, their guns are always empty, it’s only one with bullets, and that’s the one we have to hunt. Don’t be scared, those you’re scared of are actually the ones scared of you.”

The statements immediately triggered alarm within the security establishment. Over the weekend, the UPDF formally expressed concern over what it described as increasingly inflammatory rhetoric from leaders of the National Unity Platform (NUP), singling out Nambooze among those making remarks that could incite violence.

UPDF spokesperson, Col Chris Magyezi, said the statements appeared deliberately crafted to provoke young Ugandans into violent confrontations with security forces. Magyezi condemned what he termed calls to violence by certain political actors and urged citizens to reject such messages. He appealed to Ugandans to adhere to Article 17 of the Constitution of Uganda, which outlines citizens’ duties, including promoting peace and national unity.

The Uganda Police Force has echoed the UPDF’s condemnation. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke warned that law enforcement would not treat the matter lightly. He emphasized that police do not usually respond publicly to politicians’ statements unless the situation is grave.

“Police typically don’t comment on politicians’ statements, but when we do, it is serious; once I come out and comment, just know there’s something coming,” Rusoke warned.

He further stated that police would act accordingly, clearly implying legal consequences for Nambooze and any other individuals making similar remarks that could threaten public order and security.

However, Nambooze has rejected accusations that she incited violence. Speaking to Uganda Radio Network (URN), she denied encouraging the public to attack security forces and instead insisted that her message was one of lawful engagement and mutual respect.

“I haven’t incited the public to attack police, it is President Museveni who said that police and army has 120 bullets. For me I only urge people to respect the laws, but also police to respect the citizen, and good relationship between each other. I only urge them not to fear police but respect it,” Nambooze said.

She also suggested that her remarks may have been selectively edited to justify criminal charges against her, raising concerns about political persecution and freedom of expression.

The incident unfolds against the backdrop of heightened political tensions nationwide. In recent addresses to residents of the Greater Masaka region, President Yoweri Museveni issued stern warnings to NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, and other opposition leaders, cautioning them against inciting violence.

Museveni stated that each police officer and soldier carries 120 rounds of ammunition and urged opposition leaders to calculate the potential consequences of confronting armed security personnel. His remarks sparked widespread debate, drawing criticism from human rights groups and political analysts who argued that such statements further militarize the political environment and intimidate dissent.

As Uganda approaches polling day on the 15th, the political atmosphere remains tense, with fears of violence lingering following repeated clashes between opposition supporters and security forces during campaign activities. The opposition has consistently accused the Electoral Commission of failing to ensure a level playing field, while security agencies insist they are acting to maintain law and order.

With arrests looming and rhetoric escalating on both sides, the unfolding situation highlights the fragile state of Uganda’s electoral process and the deep mistrust between political actors and security institutions ahead of the vote.