The police have faulted opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine for deviating from agreed campaign plans in eastern Uganda.
This , police say led to unnecessary standoffs with police and the military, as Bobi Wine leader accused security agencies of restricting his movement during the campaign trail .
In a Wednesday night statement on incidents involving Bobi Wine in Katakwi, Kapelebyong and Amuria districts, police said the NUP flag bearer was scheduled to conduct rallies at specific venues and within authorised hours.
“Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi arrived from Kumi via the Gweri–Toroma Road en route to Toroma Primary School, his first scheduled campaign venue,” the statement said, adding that “along the way, he made two unauthorised stopovers at Gweri Trading Centre and Omasitei Trading Centre in Soroti District.”
According to the statement, Kyagulanyi arrived at Toroma Town Council at about 1:40 p.m. but “instead of proceeding to the agreed venue, he addressed people along the roadside… contrary to the approved campaign plan.”
Security agencies said he later declined to proceed to Ocorimongin Primary School, the agreed venue for his second rally in Katakwi Town Council, resulting in “a standoff with security officers for over 30 minutes, thereby disrupting the planned activities.”
The statement said Bobi Wine was then “advised and guided to proceed to Kapelebyong District,” where he arrived at Kapelebyong Primary School at about 5:00 p.m., and the rally ended at around 5:50 p.m.
“Due to time constraints, the candidate did not proceed to Amuria District to conduct the scheduled campaign rallies,” the statement said.
“By the time activities concluded in Kapelebyong, it was past 1800 hours, which is beyond the authorised campaign time.”
Security agencies added that after the rally, Bobi Wine was advised to use alternative routes “for safety and compliance purposes,” but that he declined and insisted on proceeding to Amuria Town, which they said was not allowed because it was outside authorised hours.
Earlier, Bobi Wine accused security forces of blocking his movement and denying him access to accommodation in Amuria and Soroti.
“The military and police have once again blocked us saying they can’t allow us to the alternative accommodation we had booked,” he said in a statement, adding: “We don’t know what they’re planning now.”
But in his version of events, Bobi Wine said it is the security agencies who intentionally interrupts his campaign plan by diverting him to village routes where he delays and reach campaign venues late.
On the Wednesday blockade on the outskirts of Soroti City said his team had book rooms at Landmark Hotel in the heart of the city, but security agencies chose to block him at Otuchopi , five kilometres away, claiming that the hotel is in a busy location and next to a market.
“They are arguing that the hotel where I chose to sleep is next to a market, but I explained to them that I am going to sleep not to the market. They said they had book another hotel for me –which I squarely rejected and got another alternative hotel ,” he said
He also renewed claims that the government plans to assassinate him before polling day, allegations the authorities have previously denied.
Ugandan police and the military say restrictions placed on opposition campaigns are meant to enforce agreed guidelines and maintain public order.