MUKONO. National Unity Platform [NUP] presidential candidate Mr Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, aka Bobi Wine has pledged to unite Ugandans if elected, even as his campaigns face disruptions.
At his rally in Kalagala Village Nakasajja in Mukono North constituency, Bobi Wine said he has faced campaign challenges in various parts of the country including western Uganda, Kawempe and other parts in Northern Ugandan.
‘I have always been blocked, I go through hardships of bad roads to get my venues to have a rally, my people have been abducted, some injured but I promise that I will unite and bring peace to my people if elected;’’ Bobi Wine said.
However, Bobi Wine launched his Mukono campaign amid tense confrontations between security forces and his supporters.
Bobi Wine began the day at his home in Magere before heading to Misindye in Goma Division, Mukono Municipality, where he visited the residence of Omutakka Christopher Namutwe of Mbogo clan, who blessed him with a backcloth and a spear, implored him to be firm in his presidential bid.
Bobi Wine later proceeded through Jogo toward Kalagala in Mukono North, the site of his first rally in the district.
However, his journey was repeatedly disrupted as police fired tear gas and live bullets to disperse crowds of supporters attempting to follow the candidate. The heavy security presence caused commotion in several trading centres as residents poured into the streets to show support for Bobi Wine .
Addressing supporters in Kalagala, Bobi Wine accused the Electoral Commission of “keeping silent” in the face of what he described as harassment by the Uganda Police Force and the UPDF. He said several of his supporters had been beaten and arrested, referencing similar incidents in Mabalala and Kawempe the previous day.
Bobi Wine further criticised the government for “wasting taxpayers’ money” by deploying patrol vehicles and trucks to block his movements, insisting that his rallies have been peaceful and that he poses no security threat.
“They drive around burning fuel following me, yet I don’t even have a knife,” Bobi Wine said. “It is the police breaking the law, not us.”
He added that while his campaign activities in other regions had proceeded without interference, security crackdowns intensified once he entered Buganda, an action he said violates citizens’ constitutional right to support a candidate of their choice.
During the rally, Bobi Wine also rallied support for NUP parliamentary and local government candidates in Mukono, endorsing Abdallah Kiwanuka (Mukono North), Sheillah Amaniyo (Mukono Woman MP), Betty Nambooze (Mukono Municipality), Robert Maseruka (Mukono South), and Sulaiman Kiwanuka (Nakifuma County).
He cautioned the public against politicians who misuse his portrait in their campaign materials, urging voters to support only officially endorsed NUP flag bearers.