Kumi — Security operatives blocked roads leading to Kumi town on Tuesday, January 15, 2026, moments before the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, was scheduled to address a campaign rally at Wiggins playground.
All access points to the venue were sealed off using police armoured vehicles and graders, shortly after Kyagulanyi had addressed supporters at Kalaki Primary School playground in neighbouring Pallisa District. The move comes amid escalating tensions as candidates campaign ahead of the January 2026 general elections.
Bobi Wine, speaking on social media, described the blockade as an attempt to intimidate voters but emphasised the resilience of his supporters. “On our way to Wiggins playground in Kumi district, we encountered a police barricade that tried to hinder us from reaching this scheduled venue for our second rally of the day. But despite all this, the power of the people prevailed, and we were able to speak to the masses. We are grateful to all who stood firm and showed up. Thank you, Kumi!” he tweeted.
Earlier, Kyagulanyi had energised the Bukedi sub-region at Pallisa, tweeting: “Kalaki Primary School playground, Pallisa district, for our first campaign rally. Bukedi Sub Region is speaking! #ANewUgandaNow.”
Arrests and intimidation
The campaign trail has been marked by reported arrests and intimidation. Bobi Wine condemned the arrest of his supporters, writing, “Comrade Muvawala Charles was violently arrested after our visit to Bulange on Monday.
The soldiers targeted him for apparently recording them as they brutalised our supporters! He is being held at Nateete Police Station alongside 42 other comrades! We’re now close to 600 of our people who have been illegally arrested since the campaigns started. This is not a sign of strength. It’s a sign of fear on the part of the regime. Either way, these criminal tactics have never saved despots from an inevitable fall. Let’s keep the foot on the pedal.”
Kyagulanyi also highlighted ongoing detentions of activists and supporters, noting personal stories of those affected by what he described as politically motivated arrests.
“On this day in 2022, comrade Waiswa was wedded to his beautiful wife Edith. On such a day, they should be celebrating their wedding anniversary together, but comrade Waiswa remains detained at Luzira Prison on trumped-up charges because the criminal regime fears his bold voice,” he wrote.
Despite the heavy security presence, the rally in Kumi went ahead, with Bobi Wine addressing the gathered crowd. The NUP candidate continues to campaign vigorously across Eastern Uganda, calling for support and denouncing what he describes as “criminal tactics” by state authorities aimed at suppressing political expression.
