MASAKA.The Masaka Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Ahmed Washaki, has threatened to arrest party leader Robert Kyagulanyi , if he dares to step at the Masaka Liberation Square later this month .
Kyagulanyi commonly known as Bobi Wine, is scheduled to hold a rally at Masaka Liberation Square on November 29.
Earlier this week, NUP leaders in Masaka announced that they had reached an agreement with local authorities to hold their rally at the grounds.
Masaka City Mayor and NUP deputy coordinator in Greater Masaka ,Ms Florence Namayanja confirmed that the party had followed due process and was granted permission, just like other political groups have used the venue in the past.
“This is a public ground that has hosted rallies for several political parties, including NRM and even the new Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) , a political mobilization outfit associated with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) . There is no reason why NUP should be treated differently,” Namayanja said.
However, Washaki dismissed the NUP’s claims and declared that the party would not be allowed to use the venue. He argued that the Recreation Ground’s location in the city center—close to the main hospital, the presidential lodge, and other sensitive government facilities—makes it unsuitable for such political gatherings.
“It is not allowed to hold such mass political rallies in the city center. We cannot risk public safety or national security,” Washaki asserted.
The RCC further warned that if NUP leaders defy the directive and attempt to hold the rally, security forces will arrest Kyagulanyi upon his arrival in Masaka.
“If they insist on coming here, their leader will be apprehended. We shall not allow anyone to disrupt peace in Masaka,” Washaki vowed.
Despite the standoff, NUP has been offered three alternative venues outside the city center—Kitovu Sports Arena (6 km from Masaka City centre ), Kiyumba Playground (16 km away), and Kabonera Grounds along the Masaka– Kyotera-Mutukula highway .
The Masaka Liberation Ground has long been a venue for major political events, hosting rallies for both government and opposition parties, including President Yoweri Museveni’s NRM and General Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU).