LUWEERO. The Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Mr Robert Kyagulanyi popularly known as Bobi Wine has dismissed as baseless claims by the police that his campaigns and supporters engage in violent activities.
On Monday . the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mr Abbas Byakagaba warned the NUP for persistent refusal to comply with campaign guidelines.
The Police also accused NUP supporters of attacking and injuring security operatives on duty , and holding long processions that violate traffic laws.
Addressing one of his rallies in Luweero District on Tuesday, Mr Bobi Wine accused Mr Byakagaba of fabricating allegations to justify harassment of his supporters, insisting that his campaign has consistently emphasized nonviolence and that any acts of violence attributed to his team are staged managed by agents posing as his supporters-sometimes funded by security forces.
“I have consistently stated that our campaign is non-violent. When security forces want to harass us, they hire individuals and dress them in our uniforms to provoke clashes. We ensure that none of our real supporters engage in any violence,” he said, without providing evidence.
Police has also accused Bobi Wine of holding rallies beyond 6pm campaign time.
In response, Bobi Wine accused security forces of double standards, saying various NRM candidates including Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja have held campaign rallies beyond the set campaign time.
“You have often seen the police block certain routes to obstruct our movement. By closing shorter routes, they delay our arrival at campaign venues and use this delay as an excuse to claim we campaign beyond permitted hours. We have seen [Prime Minister Robinah] Nabbanja hold campaign rallies as late as 8pm.”
Furthermore, Police has accused NUP supporters of breaking traffic law by holding long processions driving in the middle of the road.
In response, Bobi Wine criticized police for selective enforcement of the law, citing what he described as a massive procession of NRM supporters that attended President Museveni rally during his Mbarara campaign.
He claimed that security vehicles ferried ruling party supporters from several districts, blocked roads, and facilitated the procession – actions for which opposition groups are routinely penalized.
He also rejected the police claims that NUP supporters have assaulted police officers.
“The camera is our weapon,” Bobi Wine said, pointing to past incidents where security forces used excessive force against his supporters.
He referenced a rally in Iganga where an NUP supporter Mesach Okello was shot dead, and another incident in Masaka where police vehicles allegedly knocked supporters and confiscated NUP machines and public address system. As he campaigns turn violent , Bobi Wine on Tuesday resorted to wearing a bullet proof jacket and helmet , which he used to wear during the 2021 General Election which was also equally violent as police tried to enforce Covid-19 protocols . Today, Wednesday , Bobi Wine is expected to campaign in the districts of Amolatar and Dokolo