National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi was on Wednesday blocked from travelling to the US by Qatar to reportedly meet his supporters there, New Vision has learnt.

Kyagulanyi is said to have been blocked after it emerged he had been in South Africa, a country that was on Qatar’s red list owing to the COVID-19 infections.

NUP Secretary-General David Lewis Rubongoya on Thursday confirmed Kyagulanyi had not travelled to the US but denied he was blocked.

However, sources in Qatar noted that the NUP leader and former presidential candidate was blocked from travelling by Qatar security officials and given two options - either fly back to Uganda or South Africa. Kyagulanyi chose to fly back to Uganda.

In a message to his followers posted on social media on Thursday, Kyagulanyi confirmed he had cancelled his US trip.

“Yesterday, I left Uganda for the United States of America via Qatar, to attend our Diaspora events including the Uganda Action Day and our Convention, all scheduled this weekend. When I got to Doha in Qatar, it was noted that I was in South Africa less than two weeks back. Apparently, there are still coronavirus-related restrictions for anyone who has been in South Africa (and a host of other countries) from proceeding to the United States until after fourteen days. Unfortunately, we didn't detect this earlier. Officials at Entebbe were also unaware of this restriction so, they did not advise in it,” he wrote.

He noted that it was on this account that he had to cancel his onward travel to the USA and return to Uganda.

Kyagulanyi was in South Africa last week, where he recorded a song with and also met his supporters. On Monday, he attended the burial of Orthodox Archbishop Jonah Lwanga.  Top officials of his party, led by his brother Fred Nyanzi, are reportedly currently in the US.

Kyagulanyi noted that all the planned activities the party had arranged this weekend will proceed.

“There are several NUP leaders who are already in the US, including Hon. Zaake Francis, Hon. Kayemba Solo and Chairman Nyanzi. Other NUP leaders are also on their way to take part in the activities. 

"I will also be part of the event virtually, together with a team of leaders who are not able to travel for one reason or another.”