Kyagulanyi rejects defiance label, urges equal enforcement of campaign rules

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National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi on Tuesday (December 2) rejected claims that his supporters are provoking security forces, saying the allegations are intended to portray them as a lawless group—claims he insists are unfounded.

“If the Inspector General of Police, Abas Byakagaba, says we hold processions and campaign at night while others do not, that is not true. We recently saw Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja campaigning at night under police protection,” Kyagulanyi said while speaking at his home in Magere ahead of a campaign visit to Luwero.

 

National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi.

Emphasising the need for consistent enforcement of campaign regulations, Kyagulanyi also dismissed claims that his supporters have attacked security personnel.

“You have been watching the footage. In Iganga, you saw our supporters being shot after our rally as they were dispersing after listening to my address,” he said.

He also cited an incident in Masaka where he alleged that a vehicle ran over one of their supporters who was heading to a rally, killing him instantly.

On December 1, 2025, while addressing journalists at Uganda Police headquarters, IGP Byakagaba said clashes between NUP supporters and police reflect deliberate attempts by some political actors to provoke confrontations, violate campaign regulations, and undermine peace during the election period.

He played video clips gathered by police cyber experts showing scenes of provocation and disorder involving NUP supporters in various districts. 

One clip from Mbarara showed a supporter shoving a female traffic officer, while another showed Kyagulanyi jumping from a vehicle with an open sunroof to intervene in the arrest of rowdy supporters who allegedly attacked police officers at Nkaatu trading centre in Iganga district.

Additional footage showed injured police officers, highlighting the risks they face while enforcing law and order during campaigns.

Byakagaba said the incidents in Kayunga and Iganga were not isolated, citing intelligence and field reports pointing to similar patterns in Lira and other districts, including unauthorised processions, stone-throwing, destruction of campaign posters, harassment of security personnel, and violations of campaign timelines.

 

“Some actors have deliberately refused to comply with campaign guidelines, and these actions are intended to provoke security officers into confrontation,” Byakagaba said, adding that the police have exercised restraint.

Kyagulanyi, however, condemned what he described as repeated beatings of his supporters, which he said occur when people line the streets to peacefully welcome him.

“The police do not want people to welcome us joyfully,” he said, alleging that police on Monday temporarily closed Kasangatti Market and assaulted residents.

“They did not want people to welcome us, but we insist we will go to every corner of this country to spread our message of a new Uganda,” he added.

Kyagulanyi also addressed the growing number of NUP candidates dropping out of the race, particularly in western Uganda, alleging that some have been bribed to abandon their political ambitions.

“At first, they blocked party financing so we could not support our candidates. Some of our candidates, especially from Arua, are currently in jail,” he said, adding that his confidence is no longer in institutions, which he claimed have been captured.