KAWEMPE. The National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, has said 187 members of his campaign team are rotting in various prisons on trumped-up charges.
Many of these, according to Bobi Wine have been arrested in past weeks during his campaign trail in various parts of the country.
“Before heading to Kawempe for our scheduled campaign programme, we have checked on our jailed comrades who are being detained at Luzira Upper Prison on trumped-up charges. They are strong in spirit and unwavering in their convictions,” Bobi Wine said, adding “They are being held in their hundreds, and this always happens to weaken and isolate me”
The opposition leader made the remarks during a stopover on his way to a rally at Growers Playground in Kawempe South, where he addressed supporters before proceeding to Kawempe North in the capital Kampala.
Earlier this month, police arrested more than 50 members of his campaign team in Mbarara District. Another 20 had been detained in Lira District, while more than 20 were reportedly picked up from hotel rooms in Kiruhura District.
Among those arrested was Ms Olivia Lutaaya, a mother of three, who had only been released less than a year ago after spending more than four years in prison under similar circumstances during the 2021 General Election. Police charged the detainees with various offenses, including theft, vandalism of police vehicles, and assaulting officers, before producing them in court and remanding them to different prisons.
“We have decided to remain tolerant, keep peace, and democracy, but if we decide to march, security cannot overpower the people. But our people continue to live in fear because some of them are killed and maimed. The regime has been planting goons to disrupt our campaigns in all parts of Uganda. Everywhere we campaigned, people were tired of Mr Museveni. They are eagerly waiting for change; we are going to win the 2026 elections highly,” Mr Kyagulanyi said yesterday.
Police said they had detained individuals who had attacked officers during the campaign and obstructed them from performing their duties. They cited several incidents, including one in Busia District where suspects in a NUP convoy allegedly assaulted an officer; another in Mayuge on October 3, where an officer was attacked and his phone stolen; and in Kyankwanzi, where an officer was assaulted during a rally at Bikoma Primary School.
In Kakumiro on October 21, a police vehicle’s windshield was damaged. Additionally, on October 28, 2025, while traveling from Lira City to Alebtong District, police officers following the NUP convoy claimed they were attacked, their vehicle tires punctured, and property stolen. The next day in Abim, “a group of NUP candidate bodyguards assaulted Edibu Emmanuel, who was later hospitalised,” while on November 5, a journalist was attacked in Kiruhura District. The arrested bodyguards include Jamshid Kavuma, Kapuff, and Faustin Wanyikinyi (Masaba). Some of Mr Kyagulanyi’s aides have fled the country for fear of arrest, including Mr Andrew Natumanya, alias Tabz, and Godfrey Onzima, alias High Tower.
Mr Awali Migadde is also on the run after surviving multiple abductions. He was arrested in 2021 and held incommunicado for more than two weeks before being released, following severe torture. Meanwhile, as Mr Kyagulanyi headed to his first rally in Kawempe South, security forces attempted to block supporters from accessing the venue at Growers Playground.
His rallies in Kawempe South and North were marked by chaotic disruptions and heightened excitement. By 9am, hundreds of supporters had already gathered at Makerere –Kavule, the NUP headquarters and surrounding areas to welcome him, but security struggled to control access. At 12:40pm, Mr Kyagulanyi arrived at Kavule for a press conference, but cancelled it due to interruptions, opting instead to proceed to Growers Playground under heavy security deployment.
Earlier, he had visited party members detained at Luzira Upper Prison, whom he described as strong and committed to the party’s vision. From Kavule, the quickest route to Growers Playground via Bombo Road was blocked, with police vehicles stationed in several areas, disrupting traffic.
Mr Kyagulanyi and his team were forced to use the Northern Bypass, branching onto Hoima Road, Nabweru, Kazo, and back to Bombo Road before reaching Growers Playground. By 2pm, despite police firing teargas to disperse crowds, many supporters managed to access the venue. In the chaos, an elderly woman was struck on the head by a teargas canister and rushed to an ambulance for first aid.