Museveni campaign posters defaced in Busia town

Defaced campaign poster of Museveni

Authorities in Busia district have launched a manhunt for a group of youths accused of tearing down and defacing campaign posters of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Busia deputy resident district commissioner Nassar Wandera Kisuyi said several complaints have been received after posters of the president were found mutilated, particularly along Majanji road, where many had been affixed to electric poles.

“We have observed a group of about five youths moving in the evening hours, deliberately tearing down the president’s posters. This is an act of hatred and provocation that must be stopped,” Wandera told reporters.

Museveni’s poster plunked off on an electric pole along Majanji road

Legal penalties

The defacement of campaign materials is a criminal offence under Section 168 of the Local Government Act and Electoral Commission guidelines. Both laws stipulate that anyone who destroys, mutilates, defaces, or removes a legally displayed notice or document without lawful excuse faces up to six months in jail or a fine of five currency points (Shs 100,000), or both.

Maliciously defacing or removing a candidate’s campaign poster carries a stiffer penalty, up to one year in jail or the same fine, or both.

Wilberforce Lwagula Aremo, Busia district NRM administrator, condemned the acts, describing them as an insult to the president and the ruling party.

“Printing and displaying campaign posters costs money,” Aremo said. “Those who think they can destroy them with impunity should know they are disrespecting the law and the people’s choice. We urge police to arrest the perpetrators and ensure they are prosecuted.”

While no arrests have been made so far, Wandera said the dragnet is tightening.

“This is not mere mischief; it is a calculated attempt to undermine democratic expression,” he warned.

As Uganda heads toward the 2026 general elections, authorities in Busia say they will not allow what they describe as acts of political sabotage to disrupt what is expected to be a tense but peaceful campaign season.

In a related development, police officers were caught on camera this week defacing posters of opposition National Unity Platform presidential flagbearer Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine in Kampala and Mbale