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Police say they have blocked a planned rally by National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine in Kamuli and arrested 10 suspects over carrying out an illegal demonstration.   

Busoga north Police region spokesperson Mike Kasadha on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, said the 10 suspects were inciting violence and "part of the team that had defiantly organised the political activity".

"We had prior credible intelligence that the NUP members had planned a moblisation tour for Wednesday, May 22, 2024 in Kamuli municipality. As they were waiting for the expected guests, a group of people attempted to carry out illegal demonstrations, which prompted us to disperse them and eventually arrested the 10 suspects which restored order".

The spokesperson said "last year, NUP mobilisation activities were suspended over non-adherence to set guidelines, that led to public disorder, traffic disruption, loss of business, malicious damage to property and dangerous driving causing death and injuries, among others".

According to him, as the NUP leadership defiantly went on moblising and leading processions on the way to Kamuli, their leader, Kyagulanyi, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi, Kampala Woman Member of parliament Shamim Malende and a rowdy disorderly crowd were intercepted and dispersed proportionately between the border of Kamuli and Jinja district before they turned and went back.

"The suspension of mobilisation activities, continues until when the NUP leadership comply with the Police guidelines," he added.

Kasadha commended the members of the public who stood in solidarity for peace and non-violent behaviour.

Police were forced to use teargas to disperse the crowds and also fired live bullets in the air.

On Wednesday, Kyagulanyi posted on X, formerly Twitter: "The moment Police and the military fired so much teargas and live bullets in order to block us from entering Kamuli district! They blocked the main road to Kamuli for several hours. These cowards injured some of our people and arrested others. I was very glad to see that despite all the provocation, our people remained very firm and resolute. Ultimately, the people will have the final word".

On Saturday, the party released a timetable for the countywide tour which was supposed to start in Kamuli. 

Today (Thursday), they are supposed to be in Bugweri district but it remains unclear whether Police will allow them.