National Unity Platform’s Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has urged Nakawa Division voters to look beyond party affiliations and support candidates who carry the party flag.
As with his previous presidential campaigns in various parts of the country, Kyagulanyi encountered roadblocks and teargas on Monday during his journey from NUP’s former party headquarters in Kamwokya to Nakawa East, specifically at Nakawa traffic lights and Kinawataka playground, where he held his first rally. He then proceeded to Ntinda, where he concluded with a rally at Bitikiro playground near Ndele Center in Nakawa West.
Kyagulanyi, clad in a white shirt and wearing body armor and a helmet, navigated through chaotic scenes as security forces heavily deployed to block his supporters’ procession. Addressing the crowd at Kinawataka in Nakawa, he reiterated his key message of unity, a theme he’s been emphasizing everywhere.
“Today is truly special, and we’re grateful to have made it this far. We’ve traveled across Uganda, spreading one message of love and unity. I’m heartened to see that you’ve been following this message, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the love and unity that transcends tribal boundaries. I urge you to be more united than ever,” Kyagulanyi said.
He swiftly shifted focus to the brutality he had faced during his campaign, highlighting the recent clashes that left his close friend and aide, Dan Majic, severely injured over the weekend.
“The Electoral Commission is aware that I was supposed to campaign in Nakawa, but security forces have blocked all roads leading here in a bid to stop me from reaching you and spreading the message of change. This regime has lied to you for 40 years, but I want to thank you for defying them and persisting. Your determination has allowed us to reach this point,” Kyagulanyi said.
He also pointed out that despite 40 years passing, Nakawa continues to struggle with treacherous roads that result in daily loss of life due to fatal accidents. He also brought attention to the rampant issue of land grabbing, where individuals are forcibly removed from their properties by alleged land grabbers.
Kyagulanyi urged the electorate to vote for change by supporting the regime’s replacement, stressing the importance of voting for candidates with the party flag bearers. He cautioned them against being deceived by those who claim to be part of the party but have defected to run as independents after flouting party rules.
Nakawa Division consists of two areas, including Nakawa West, led by Joel Ssenyonyi, the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader of the opposition in parliament, and Nakawa East, currently represented by Ronald Balimwezo, who is running for Lord Mayor of Kampala.
However, some NUP aspirants who lost the party primaries opted to run as independents. Notably, despite their independent status, some of these candidates still utilize NUP party flags and symbols in their campaign materials.
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