Nakawa — Teargas, police blockades, and tense standoffs marked Monday’s campaign trail for National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, as he attempted to access scheduled rallies in Nakawa Division.
The day began with a media briefing in which Kyagulanyi condemned what he called “escalating electoral violence” targeting his campaign across the country. Speaking about last week’s clashes in Gulu, he said security forces had resorted to brutality to derail his political activities.
“We have undergone electoral violence in recent days,” Bobi Wine told journalists. “The EC issued an inconclusive statement on the tragedy that befell us in Gulu, where soldiers wielding sticks meted out terror against us. We know this violence intends to break our resolve and shatter our hearts, but we are not relenting because what we are doing is constitutional.”
Shortly after the briefing, police blocked the intersection at Ntinda Stretcher–Nakawa traffic lights, halting the NUP procession for nearly 15 minutes. Officers deployed teargas in attempts to disperse crowds gathering along the route.
After negotiations, the blockade was lifted, and the convoy proceeded toward Mbuya and later Nakawa East, where large crowds had gathered despite earlier confrontations.
In a statement, NUP said security forces attempted to disperse supporters with teargas but were overwhelmed by the turnout.
“As we headed to the rally venue, the regime police tried to demobilise our supporters with tear gas,” NUP said. “But the masses braved these outdated tactics and welcomed us in large numbers.”
At both campaign stops, Kyagulanyi reiterated his pledge to restore the rule of law, dignity, and rights protections once in office.
“We shall put in place a government that respects and upholds rights for all,” NUP declared in a later update. “Our supporters braved intimidation, harassment, and brutality to make it to our rally venue. The people of Nakawa want a functional democratic government.”
Wrapping up the day in Nakawa West, Kyagulanyi criticised what he described as state-sanctioned violence against NUP supporters.
“If the regime’s intention is to cause us to give up, they are dead wrong,” Bobi Wine posted. “We shall continue doing everything within the law to reach our people.”
Human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo weighed in, describing the violent crackdown on opposition supporters as a sign of political insecurity.
“No amount of violence, even killings, can stem the tide,” Opiyo said. “The show of violence is not a representation of strength but a tacit admission of weakness. Those being used as instruments of coercion must remember state protection is transient.”
He urged security forces to follow the law and avoid unnecessary bloodshed during the campaign season. “An election cannot be prosecuted as though it were a war,” Opiyo added. “The country will live long after us all. Let us make a better country for our posterity.”
Despite the chaotic scenes, Kyagulanyi confirmed that next week he will continue his campaign trail through Nakawa, Tooro, Rwenzori, and parts of Ankole, maintaining that fear will not deter him.
