National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has attacked the security in Fort Portal City for blocking him while heading to a scheduled campaign venue in Kyenjojo. He said such operations were intended to intimidate voters and create an impression that NUP lacks support across the country. On Tuesday, Kyagulanyi began his campaign tour in Tooro/ Rwenzori subregion.
He campaigned in Bunyangabu district but was blocked by security officers from campaigning in Kabarole and Fort Portal after Kyagulanyi and the security disagreed on the route he had to use to reach his campaign venue.
The standoff lasted for over two hours, and police used tear gas to disperse NUP supporters who were gathered along streets in Fort Portal waiting to attend the NUP rally.
Speaking to journalists in Fort Portal on Wednesday, Kyagulanyi said the police have consistently subjected him to unfair treatment. He explained that he is the only presidential candidate who is routinely denied access to certain routes and instead forced to use rural, longer roads during his campaign trail.
Kyagulanyi said security personnel intercepted him at Rwengoma and barred his vehicle from moving further into the city, leaving his two campaign trucks stranded in the middle of the road for more than two hours.
The NUP leader blamed the Electoral Commission for keeping a blind eye to what he termed as atrocities committed against him and his campaign team. He said he intends to petition EC Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama over the continued disruption of his campaign activities.
Kyagulanyi revealed that during the Tuesday incidents, 70 of his supporters were arrested, while 2 others sustained serious injuries after being shot at.
Rwenzori West Police Spokesperson Vincent Twesige dismissed Kyagulanyi’s claims. Twesige explained that the Tuesday confrontation arose because Kyagulanyi and his team refused to use the route that had earlier been agreed upon during security coordination meetings.
He said security officials and NUP regional coordinators held three meetings before Kyagulanyi visited the Tooro region, during which they harmonized the routes the candidate was expected to follow.
Twesige accused Kyagulanyi’s Kampala team of defying the agreed plan, leading to the impasse.
The police spokesperson also denied allegations that security arrested or shot NUP supporters, as claimed by Kyagulanyi.
Twesige added that Kyagulanyi was blocked from passing through Fort Portal’s central business area because Electoral Commission guidelines prohibit candidates from stopping or campaigning in trading centers, roadsides, and towns unless designated as official campaign venues.
He advised Kyagulanyi and other candidates to strictly follow EC guidelines and adhere to harmonized traffic and campaign routes to avoid further confrontations with security.
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