A video clip circulating widely on social media has triggered intense debate across Uganda, drawing sharp reactions from political leaders, religious institutions and civil society groups.
The footage, shared thousands of times within hours, has reignited longstanding tensions over the intersection of faith, politics and state power, placing renewed focus on the limits of political association and freedom of expression.
In the now-viral video, President Yoweri Museveni is heard explaining why a Catholic priest in in Masaka was arrested.
He stated that the cleric was allegedly involved with opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine.
The President’s remarks suggested that the arrest was linked to political activity rather than purely religious functions, a statement that has drawn both criticism and support.
As discussions raged online and on radio talk shows, opposition figures accused the state of using intimidation tactics to silence dissenting voices, while supporters of the government argued that national security considerations must take precedence.
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Religious leaders, meanwhile, urged calm and restraint, warning that politicizing places of worship could deepen divisions in an already polarized environment.
Opposition leaders swiftly condemned the comments, saying they amounted to an admission of politically motivated arrests.
They accused the government of targeting religious figures perceived to be sympathetic to the opposition, arguing that such actions undermine constitutional protections and freedom of worship.
Kyagulanyi’s camp described the arrest as part of a broader crackdown on individuals and institutions seen as critical of the state.
Government allies, however, defended the President’s position, insisting that no one is above the law and that religious leaders should not engage in partisan politics.
They argued that security agencies have a duty to act when individuals, regardless of status, are suspected of activities deemed illegal or destabilizing.
The Catholic Church in Uganda has yet to issue a detailed response, but several clerics privately expressed concern over the implications of the statement.
As the video continues to circulate, pressure is mounting on authorities to clarify the circumstances surrounding the arrest, with many Ugandans calling for transparency, respect for civil liberties and a clear separation between faith and partisan politics.
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