KAMPALA.National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi , popularly known as Bobi Wine, has alleged that the government is orchestrating a plan to rig the January 15 polls , warning that authorities may provoke unrest as a pretext for a violent crackdown.
Speaking to the media on Thursday at his residence in Magere ,Wakiso District before travelling to Kayunga District, Kyagulanyi claimed his team has “reliable information” that security agencies intend to trigger chaos and impose a curfew ahead of voting, similar to the November 2020 unrest.
He said the matter is being raised with the international community, regional organisations and the African Union.
Kyagulanyi accused Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson Simon Byabakama of failing to address these concerns or enforce fairness.
He said the Commission has condemned protest voting while remaining silent on alleged abuses targeting NUP supporters.
“If he is really in charge of the election, he should rein in,” Kyagulanyi said, arguing that Byabakama is discouraging citizens from protecting their vote “without quoting any legal provision.”
On Wednesday Mr Byabakama ,while addressing a press conference said it was “ outside the law” to mobilise voters to pitch camp at polling stations after voting ,advising them to return home to avoid being arrested by security operatives .
The NUP leader defended the party’s push for Active Citizens’ Participation, citing Section 31(4) of the Presidential Elections Act, which allows voters to observe tallying within a 30 meter- radius .
He said that if the EC cannot ensure transparency, Byabakama should “peacefully resign.”
Kyagulanyi linked the alleged rigging preparations to a pattern of police violence against his campaign activities.
He claimed officers have fired tear gas at peaceful rallies and applied double standards against opposition processions while tolerating those of ruling NRM candidates.
Despite the allegations, Kyagulanyi pledged to continue campaigning nationwide.
“We are continuously going to remain law-abiding in our pursuit for the votes, and we shall reach out to all parts of the country as per our schedule,” he said.