National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has accused security forces of using excessive force against his supporters during campaign activities in Sironko District on Sunday.
In a series of social media posts, Kyagulanyi said that regime security personnel repeatedly provoked his team throughout the day, employing tear gas, live bullets, and electrocution (tasing) against attendees.
He highlighted a particularly serious incident in which one of his campaign team members, Hamuza Lubulwa, sustained critical head injuries after being attacked by Joint Anti-Terrorism operatives.
According to Kyagulanyi, Lubulwa’s vehicle had first been shot at and disabled before he was assaulted.
Police dismiss the allegations
Elgon Region Police Spokesperson, SP Rogers Taitika, said the incident involved a Toyota Wish, registration number UBM 430K, driven by Lubulwa Hamza, who was travelling along the route of the NUP presidential candidate’s campaign convoy.
“While driving recklessly, the driver overtook the candidate’s convoy, refused to stop when flagged down by the security detail, and nearly knocked the security vehicle,” SP Taitika said.
Police stated that the driver’s actions prompted a pursuit and eventual interception. Upon being stopped, Lubulwa allegedly resisted lawful arrest. In the scuffle that followed, he sustained a head injury and was subsequently taken to the hospital for treatment.
“Allegations that he was shot are false and not supported by clinical evidence,” the police spokesperson emphasised.
Despite the reported violence, Kyagulanyi thanked the people of Bugisu for their resilience and support. “We express our gratitude to the people of Bugisu for their courage and resilience despite the intimidation. Thank you, Bamasaba. Mwanyala Nabi,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Kyagulanyi had begun his 101st day of campaigning with a mass at St. Austin Catholic Church in Mbale District before heading to Sironko and Bulambuli to continue his campaign message, which emphasised ending what he described as “the Museveni dictatorship.”
At Busano trading centre, he urged residents of Bamasabaland to join what he called a “national cause to free Uganda from the grip of dictatorship.”
The NUP campaign team has been active across the Eastern Region in the lead-up to the upcoming elections, and Kyagulanyi’s posts indicate heightened tensions between his supporters and security operatives during campaign events.
