A fresh political storm has erupted following claims by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) mouthpiece, Col. Chris Magezi, that 17 motorcycles were stolen during a National Unity Platform (NUP) rally in Arua, triggering sharp rebuttals from opposition figures and civil society voices who are demanding evidence to support the allegation.
Dr Sarah Bireete, the Executive Director of the Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), questioned the credibility of the claim, noting that NUP rallies are routinely broadcast live on the party’s social media platforms.
“Afande Chris Magezi has stated that 17 motorcycles were stolen in Arua during an NUP rally. Is he aware that NUP rallies are all covered live on their social media channels, from beginning to the end?” Bireete asked.
She added, “How come citizens never get to see such scenes? Can he adduce evidence about this allegation? He who alleges must prove.”
The controversy unfolded alongside a broader public debate on the conduct of security forces during opposition activities, particularly the use of force in crowd control.
Col. Magezi, who is the Acting Defence Public Information Officer, has defended the actions of security personnel, arguing that law enforcement officers are legally mandated to use reasonable force when maintaining public order.
In a strongly worded statement, Magezi said critics were being selective in their outrage. “Law enforcement officers have legal authority to use physical force in crowd control, including the use of batons,” he said. “Yet you do not see the same energy condemning corporal punishment, which is still widely applied in our society… It is called hypocrisy.”
He added that security agencies would not retreat in the face of criticism, warning that, “The security forces will not be intimidated and will continue to take firm action against belligerent groups, individuals, and criminals who do not comply with the guidance of law enforcement officers… The batons are coming!”
Magezi earlier echoed similar remarks during a radio appearance, where he suggested that public reactions were driven more by emotion than logic. “People are outraged because some individuals were beaten with sticks, yet in some of our own communities, parents still administer corporal punishment to their children,” he said.
Opposition leaders have rejected this reasoning, describing it as dangerous and morally flawed. NUP spokesperson and Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, condemned the comparison between disciplining children and the treatment of political leaders and supporters.
“So this character thinks it’s okay for the military to beat up leaders and their supporters, just because parents beat their children!” Ssenyonyi said, adding sarcastically, “The irony is that his name is ‘Magezi’.”
Magezi fired back at Ssenyonyi in a personal rebuttal, dismissing him as “a blowhard” and accusing him of double standards. “He implies that it is okay to beat children, but not adults. Is there a fundamental moral difference? Hypocrite!” Magezi said.
The UPDF spokesperson has also denied allegations that security forces attacked NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, and his entourage during recent engagements in northern Uganda.
“The security forces in Gulu are not the ones who attacked Bobi Wine and his group,” Magezi said in an earlier statement, insisting that, “Bobi Wine and his team provoked the security forces through their actions and conduct.”
As the exchanges continue across radio airwaves and social media, critics argue that the growing rhetoric underscores the need for accountability, transparency, and evidence-based communication from security agencies—especially in politically charged environments.
For now, the disputed claims about the Arua rally and the wider debate over the use of force remain unresolved, further deepening tensions between the state and opposition actors.
