There is heavy security deployment on various roads leading to Rubaga, where National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, is campaigning in Rubaga Division.
There have been clashes on several occasions between NUP supporters and security agencies, often due to disputes over processions on roads, alleged attacks on security personnel, and changes to campaign routes.
The NUP camp, however, has consistently accused security agencies of being biased in their enforcement of campaign regulations. Last week, when Kyagulanyi campaigned in Nakawa East and Nakawa West, several roads were blocked, and teargas was used on NUP processions, although no arrests were made. In contrast, his recent campaigns in Kasese and neighboring districts were relatively less violent.
However, joint security deployments have been increased on various roads, including the roundabouts in Bwaise, the entire Bombo Road, Busega areas, Natete, Wakaliga, Rubaga, Old Kampala, and all roads leading to Wankulukuku playground, where his rally will be held.
Kyagulanyi, accompanied by a delegation of NUP leaders, left the party headquarters at 10:00 am to visit Bulange Mengo, the Buganda Kingdom palace, where he met with the Prime Minister of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga. Upon arrival, Kyagulanyi was welcomed by the Buganda Minister of Information, Oweek Noah Kiyimba, into the Prime Minister’s office, where he was waiting them.
Heavy security deployments have been made on all roads leading to Bulange Mengo, including the Nantawetwa roundabout, which has been blocked by police trucks. No public vehicles or pedestrians are allowed to use the road, apart from a few special convoys entering the palace. Meanwhile, crowds of NUP supporters are waiting to catch a glimpse of the NUP presidential candidate and other leaders as they exit the palace.
Deo Mbabazi, one of the NUP Lubaga campaign organizers, described it as a great honor that their candidate is being hosted by the Prime Minister of Buganda as he campaigns in Lubaga Division. However, he condemned the heavy security deployment that has prevented their supporters from welcoming the candidate.
“It’s a great opportunity to see our president in the palace, but on a bad note, we mobilized our people to come and welcome the president who’s visiting our area. Instead, it’s like a battlefield – the military and police have closed roads and chased people away, creating panic and threatening our people.” Mbabazi said.
NUP spokesperson and Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, who accompanied Kyagulanyi along with Buganda NUP Vice President Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, expressed dismay, saying it’s shameful that security hasn’t respected their home visit to the palace and has instead barred people from accessing the palace, a place that should be peaceful for everyone.
Ssenyonyi has called on security agencies after they denied many people, including several other leaders, access to the palace, despite the Prime Minister having organized a big delegation.
By press time, the Prime Minister of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, was addressing NUP delegations at Bulange Mengo before heading to the first rally at Wankulukuku Stadium. Earlier, the Police Spokesperson, Kituuma Rusoke, had called on the NUP camp to follow the Electoral Commission’s guidelines in place to avoid skirmishes with security agencies as they campaign in Kampala