Meet Afande Tumwine: The Errant Mbarara DPC Who Arrested a NUP Supporter for Preaching the Party Ideology

Mbarara’s District Police Commander (DPC), Afande Tumwine, has found himself at the center of a storm after ordering the arrest of a young National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter whose only “crime” was preaching his party’s ideology in the streets of Mbarara.

The incident, which unfolded this past week, has sparked anger among opposition members and civil rights activists, who accuse Tumwine of abusing his office and trampling on constitutional freedoms.

The Arrest

Witnesses say the NUP supporter was standing near a taxi park in Mbarara, peacefully addressing a small crowd about his party’s vision of leadership, accountability, and change. Within minutes, plain-clothed operatives surrounded him before uniformed officers led by DPC Tumwine bundled him into a waiting police truck.

“He was not violent, he was not inciting riots, he was just speaking,” recalls one boda boda rider who witnessed the incident. “The DPC himself was giving orders like the young man was a dangerous criminal.”

Freedom of Speech Under Siege

Uganda’s Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to association, assembly, and expression. For opposition parties like NUP, however, these rights often exist only on paper. Police have consistently broken up their meetings, blocked their processions, and criminalized even peaceful activities.

“What happened in Mbarara is not law enforcement — it is political persecution,” argues Sarah Okello, a lawyer and human rights advocate. “The DPC acted not as a servant of the law but as a political enforcer.”

Who Is Afande Tumwine?

Locals describe Tumwine as a hardliner with a reputation for heavy-handedness. While some see him as loyal to the state, others accuse him of being a tool of intimidation against government critics. His latest actions have now thrust him into the national spotlight, earning him the label of “errant DPC.”

“Instead of protecting citizens, he is policing their thoughts and loyalties,” notes journalist Deogratius Male. “This is not policing; this is harassment.”

NUP Reacts

NUP leaders condemned the arrest, calling it a clear violation of democratic principles. “Our supporters have the right to talk about our party without being treated like criminals,” said a party spokesperson. “We demand the unconditional release of our comrade and disciplinary action against the DPC.”

Party president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, took to social media, writing:

“Once again, the regime fears even the smallest voice of truth. We demand justice for our supporter in Mbarara and accountability for those who abuse power.”

Citizens Speak Out

Reactions across Mbarara have been heated. While some residents prefer to remain silent for fear of reprisals, others are openly questioning the motives behind the arrest.

• “If someone can be arrested for talking politics, then none of us is safe. Tomorrow it will be me, the next day it will be you,” said a university student at Bishop Stuart University.

• “This is misuse of police resources. Why is our DPC chasing down ordinary youth instead of focusing on real criminals?” asked a local trader.

A Symptom of a Bigger Problem

Analysts warn that Tumwine’s actions are not isolated but part of a wider pattern where Uganda’s police force is used as an extension of political power. Opposition supporters face arbitrary arrests, beatings, and even imprisonment for simply exercising their constitutional rights.

“This case is not about one DPC in Mbarara,” explains Dr. Samuel Kiggundu, a governance researcher. “It is about a system that rewards repression and punishes dissent.”

The Call for Accountability

Civil society groups are now demanding an investigation into Tumwine’s conduct. The Uganda Human Rights Commission has been urged to intervene, though critics argue that the body itself has often been silent in politically sensitive cases.

“The people of Mbarara deserve a police commander who protects them, not one who terrorizes them,” says activist Josephine Nabirye.

The arrest of a NUP supporter for preaching party ideology may seem like a small incident, but it symbolizes a much bigger struggle: the fight for political freedom in Uganda. Afande Tumwine may have silenced one voice in Mbarara, but the uproar his actions have triggered shows that the demand for accountability is only growing louder.

As opposition voices keep repeating: Uganda belongs to all Ugandans, not to a select few, and not to errant officers who abuse the badge they wear.