KIRUHURA, Uganda — National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, was forced to abandon a planned rally in Kiruhura District on Wednesday following violent confrontations between his supporters and youths aligned with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The clashes occurred in an area widely recognized as President Yoweri Museveni’s political heartland, where the NRM consistently secures over 95 percent of the vote in national elections.
Mr. Kyagulanyi, a presidential candidate, managed to hold only one rally in the neighboring Kazo District after his convoy was pelted with sticks and stones in Kiruhura.
Accusations of state-backed violence
Following the disruption, Mr. Kyagulanyi took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his strong accusations against the security forces and his political rivals:
“We encountered groups of well-mobilized goons clad in yellow T-shirts armed with sticks to launch attacks at us under the protection of the regime police,” Mr. Kyagulanyi posted later on X (formerly Twitter).
Tension escalated sharply at Ssanga Trading Center, where groups of yellow-clad youths—yellow being the official color of the NRM—confronted NUP supporters.
Eyewitnesses told Vivid Voice News that military trucks were seen distributing yellow T-shirts and President Museveni’s posters, while NUP campaign posters were reportedly torn down. Journalists attempting to cover the event were also attacked during the chaos.
The NUP convoy was ultimately compelled to turn back toward Kazo District. Residents who attended the rally there reported having to brave heavy intimidation from Resident District Commissioners and other security operatives.
Arrests and ongoing campaign
The chaotic scenes echoed similar violence from December 2020, when Kyagulanyi’s campaign team was blocked from holding rallies in the same district.
By Thursday morning, reports indicated that more than 50 NUP supporters and 30 motorcycle taxi riders had been arrested.
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Additionally, unverified reports suggested that Kavuma Jamushid, a member of Kyagulanyi’s security detail, had been detained and taken to an undisclosed location.
As of publication time, neither the Uganda Police Force nor the NRM party had issued official statements regarding the violent incidents or the arrests.
Despite the persistent disruptions, Kyagulanyi’s team confirmed that the next leg of their presidential campaign will proceed in Isingiro District. This visit marks the 32nd day of his nationwide campaign.
So far, the NUP presidential candidate has successfully campaigned in 53 districts, though missed rallies include Kiruhura, Iganga, Otuke, and Karenga.
