For yet another time, police and National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, found themselves at odds after he was blocked from accessing Fort Portal City center, causing a major standoff.
More than a month since the presidential campaigns began, what started peacefully has increasingly turned chaotic as police continue to break up what they call illegal processions. In several confrontations, supporters have been injured and others killed, including Mesarch Okello, who was shot dead after a rally in Iganga.
Yesterday’s events followed a similar pattern as police prevented Bobi Wine from reaching the venue of his final rally.
Bobi Wine spent nearly two hours at a blocked section of the road, engaging in heated exchanges with police. He later attempted to proceed on foot, during which his shirt was torn in the scuffle.
The NUP candidate had been scheduled to address his final rally at St. Leo’s College Kyegobe, but his team says he was blocked from accessing the school premises. Earlier in the day, he had also been prevented from campaigning in Kabarole District.
“We have been held for over an hour in the middle of the road to our rally venue, which is less than 10 minutes away. Police wants us to use alternative rural routes that may take us two hours,” Bobi Wine said.
He added that previous blockades, including on the way to Bunyangabu District, had caused delays and hindered his ability to meet supporters.
“We remain trapped on the road to Kabarole as campaign time runs out,” he said.
By 7:00 p.m., Bobi Wine reported that he was still being held at the blockade.
“It’s now past campaign time, and we are still stuck here with police and military just meters from what would have been our venue in Fort Portal. Since 3 p.m. when we were stopped, no vehicle including ambulances has been allowed to pass. We don’t know what they plan to do,” he posted.
Police Explain Their Actions
Twesige Vincent, the Regional Police Spokesperson for the West Rwenzori Region, issued a statement explaining why Bobi Wine was blocked. He said preparatory meetings had been held with NUP coordinators to agree on routes and venues for the candidate’s campaign in the region.
According to Twesige, the final meeting resolved that Bobi Wine would enter the region via the Kihura–Rwanwanja–Kahunge road and exit through Harubaho in Fort Portal, as the NRM candidate was campaigning in Kyenjojo on the same day.
However, Twesige said Bobi Wine disregarded the agreed route, leading to an hour-and-a-half standoff with security at Kihura Trading Centre.
Upon reaching Harubaho, Bobi Wine allegedly insisted on proceeding into Fort Portal town, contrary to the plan. This resulted in another 30-minute standoff before he eventually proceeded toward Bunyangabu, where he held a rally at Busiita Playground.
His next scheduled rally was in Harugongo, Kabarole District. But when he reached Ibonde, he again diverted toward the central business district, prompting police to intervene at around 3:30 p.m. The standoff lasted until 7:00 p.m., after which he was escorted to his accommodation for the night.
“Police will not concede to any attempts by candidates to flout agreed campaign arrangements or portray themselves as victims while deliberately conducting activities in undesignated areas such as roads, trading centres, or unauthorized venues,” Twesige said.
