Kira Municipality — Police fired teargas at the convoy of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, as he made his way to Bweyogerere–Kakajo Zone for his first campaign rally on Monday.
Security was heavily deployed across Kira Municipality, with roadblocks and patrol trucks stationed along major routes leading to the rally venue.
Despite the earlier confrontation, Kyagulanyi proceeded to address thousands of supporters at Kakajo Grounds, urging them to remain calm and avoid retaliation.
“Please don’t give in to police provocation,” he told the crowd. “They want you to get angry and pelt stones so they can justify shooting at you. They have laboured to provoke you, but the only weapons we have are the national flag, cameras and the truth.”
The NUP candidate framed the day’s clashes as part of what he called a pattern of intimidation targeting opposition campaign activities.
Contrasting Scenes in Mbarara
Meanwhile, in Mbarara City, an NTV Uganda video showed a police truck ferrying NRM supporters to La Rooftop Lounge, from where they were expected to march to Boma Grounds for President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign rally.
The footage drew criticism from Kyagulanyi, who accused security forces of double standards.
“For NUP, they bring in police and military trucks to intimidate and break down our events, or to carry those arrested. For NRM, these trucks are brought in to ferry paid people to Museveni’s rallies,” Kyagulanyi posted on X. “The impunity and abuse continue… WE SHALL OVERCOME.”
Massive Turnout in Kira
Despite the tensions, Kyagulanyi later posted a message of gratitude to supporters in Kira Municipality, declaring: “ONE DAY, UGANDA WILL BE FREE. AND JUST. AND DEMOCRATIC.”
Police have not yet issued a public statement regarding the teargas incident or the contrasting deployment in Mbarara.
The 2026 general election campaign trail continues this week, with both the NUP and NRM candidates expected to hold rallies in multiple districts.
