Jinja, Uganda: Police in the Kiira and Busoga East regions have issued stern warnings to National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters to avoid processions ahead of Friday’s campaign rallies for party president and presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, in Jinja and Iganga.
Kyagulanyi is expected to begin the day with rallies at Masese, Mpumudde and St. John Wakitaka Senior Secondary School before proceeding to the main gathering at Iganga Railway Grounds in the afternoon, and security agencies say they have held several meetings with NUP leaders to agree on strict guidelines meant to prevent processions and ensure smooth traffic flow.
Kiira Regional Police Spokesperson SP James Mubi said supporters must proceed directly to the designated venues and avoid forming processions along major routes such as the Jinja–Busia highway and through central trading centres. He said processions disrupt traffic, cause unnecessary commotion and may trigger confrontations.
“The supporters are asked to go directly to where the rallies will be. Processions interfere with normal traffic flow and can lead to crashes between security and party supporters. It also interferes with other people’s rights,” SP Mubi said.
Mubi added that NUP parliamentary flag bearer for Jinja South East, Hon. Paul Mwiru, had agreed with security teams to ensure discipline among supporters during Kyagulanyi’s visit. He warned that anyone who violates agreed guidelines will be arrested.
In Iganga, Busoga East Police Spokesperson ASP Micheal Kasadha issued similar guidance, saying security and NUP representatives met and finalized rally routes and alternative access points.
According to Kasadha, Kyagulanyi will not access the town centre through the Jinja–Busia highway. Instead, he will be diverted at Walugogo through Luuka Road, branch off at Tembo Steels, and proceed via Nakabaale Road to the Railway Grounds in Nkaatu.
“We have already assessed the grounds to ensure the rally is successful. But we warn against processions and campaigns in the middle of the road because such acts can cause clashes between security and supporters,” Kasadha said.
Kasadha urged supporters, especially youths, to avoid reckless use of the road and opportunistic criminal acts, including theft, which security says is common during processions. He emphasized that police will be stationed across key points to arrest anyone who violates the guidelines.
Police insist the measures are aimed at protecting lives, preventing congestion and ensuring rallies do not disrupt business activities in the two towns as Kyagulanyi’s campaigns enter one of their most attended phases in the Busoga sub-region.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
