Iganga, Uganda: The Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, was on Friday blocked from campaigning in Iganga Municipality by a combined team of the UPDF, Police, and other security agencies.
According to the Electoral Commission’s harmonised programme, Bobi Wine was scheduled to hold campaign rallies in both Mayuge and Iganga districts. However, after his rally in Mayuge earlier in the day, security personnel barred him from proceeding to Iganga, forcing the cancellation of his planned rally.
Taking to his X platform, Bobi Wine condemned the move, accusing the security forces of partisan interference in the electoral process. He said while other presidential candidates had already campaigned in Iganga Municipality, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Regional Police Commander (RPC), and District Police Commander (DPC) had insisted he would not be allowed to do the same.
“Blocked from proceeding to Iganga for our campaigns by the military and police! Although two other presidential candidates have so far campaigned in Iganga Municipality, the RDC, RPC and DPC in Iganga have insisted that we must not campaign there,” Bobi Wine said.
The opposition leader explained that venue owners had been intimidated by security forces until his team secured Oxford High School playground, only for the military and police to later bar them altogether. He said the heavy deployment was meant to instill fear and provoke violence.
“This morning, these partisan criminals insisted that we must not campaign anywhere in the Municipality. Seeing that they came armed to the teeth to injure or kill our people, we have decided to postpone our campaign in Iganga,” Bobi Wine added.
“We hope to engage the Electoral Commission so they make it clear that I and the National Unity Platform are now allowed to campaign in Iganga Municipality while other candidates campaign there!”
The NUP Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya, confirmed the development, saying the military and police insisted the candidate could not proceed, effectively forcing the team to abandon their plan.
“We have been blocked from campaigning in Iganga Municipality… We have made it clear that just like other candidates, we have every right to campaign in every constituency in Uganda, including Iganga,” he said.
Human Rights Defenders also condemned the actions of security forces, saying it contravened the Electoral Commission guidelines. “Today, Uganda Military Blocks @HEBobiwine Campaign in Iganga district, defying electoral guidelines. Heavily armed military & police forces, gun cocked, blocked the route to the venue—forcing Bobi Wine to cancel his rally. This is illegal interference in the electoral process,” they posted.
Bobi Wine’s campaigns have repeatedly been marred by security interceptions, with his team often diverted from main routes and forced to use long, dusty inner roads.
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