Mbarara City, Uganda – The usually calm streets of Mbarara City were rocked by tension and teargas on the afternoon of August 21st, as police arrested a 24-year-old man accused of inciting violence and promoting hate speech.
Richard Kavuma, known locally by his alias Pastor RK Madogo, was taken into custody by the Mbarara City Police after officers received reports from concerned residents about his inflammatory rhetoric.
Claiming allegiance to the opposition party, National Unity Platform (NUP), Kavuma had reportedly been preaching messages laced with aggression, sowing division among passersby in the heart of the city.
However, what was intended to be a routine arrest quickly escalated into chaos. As police moved in on Kavuma, a group of unidentified sympathisers intervened, hurling stones at the officers. In response, police fired tear gas to disperse the growing crowd, sending vendors and civilians fleeing in confusion.
“We were forced to use reasonable force to contain the situation and protect our officers,” said SP Kasasira Samson, the Police Spokesperson for the Rwizi Region. “Investigations into the suspect’s motives and affiliations are still ongoing.”
While no serious injuries were reported during the clash, several individuals were treated for minor tear gas exposure at nearby clinics. Police have not ruled out further arrests as they work to identify those who disrupted the operation.
Kavuma remains in custody as authorities seek to determine whether his actions were politically motivated or part of a larger agenda.
As the investigation unfolds, the incident has sparked wider conversations in Mbarara about political tolerance, freedom of expression, and the fine line between activism and incitement.
