Only ten leaders from opposition political party, National Unity Platform (NUP), have been granted permission to access Entebbe International Airport to receive their leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine, Plus News has exclusively learnt.
Wine, according to his social media platforms, will be returning from his international mobilization tours in Canada and South Africa. He is expected to touch base at 10:20 am.
“Security is very strict. They have allowed only 10 of us,” one of the leaders already at the airport told Plus News.
We understand that those granted access include among others John Baptist Nambeshe Manjiya County MP and Opposition Chief Whip John Baptist Nambeshe, Muwadda Nkunyingi (Kyadondo East), Gorreth Namugga (Mawogola South) and Latif Ssebagala former MP Kawempe North.
Leaders from NUP, including some party MPs representing Kampala Metropolitan constituencies, have for a couple of days been mobilising people from across the country to converge at Entebbe International Airport and along the Entebbe road, as well as other roads leading to Bobi Wine’s residence in Magere, Wakiso on Thursday.
However, police on Wednesday came out and warned the public against heeding to calls of thronging the airport and roads to welcome Mr Kyagulanyi.
In a press briefing, Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, stated that any unlawful processions would face strict consequences. He emphasized that no processions would be allowed.
He expressed concerns that such processions could disrupt public order and potentially lead to criminal activities, and therefore, they would deploy significant security measures to maintain peace.
On Thursday morning, security personnel, in huge numbers, in uniform and plain clothes, were seen deployed along Entebbe way. Several roadblocks have also been mounted.
On Wednesday evening, Onyango told Radio 4 that Bobi Wine and group want to use this welcome to march and camp at and around State House, Entebbe.
On Wednesday morning, the Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, had reassured the public that the government had no plans to interfere with Bobi Wine’s return, emphasizing that he is treated like any other Ugandan citizen, and his return should not raise alarm.