Kyagulanyi urges peaceful vote protection as he campaigns in Teso
He urged his supporters to remain calm and disciplined, stressing that non-violence remains central to NUP’s campaign strategy.
National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu speaking at a press conference on Thursday (December 18) ahead of campaign activities in Soroti city and Serere district as part of his Teso sub-region tour in Uganda's east. (Photos by Ponsiano Nsimbi)
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National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has called on Ugandans to participate in the electoral process peacefully and non-violently.
He urged his supporters to remain calm and disciplined, stressing that non-violence remains central to NUP’s campaign strategy.
The opposition politician was speaking at a press conference on Thursday (December 18) ahead of campaign activities in Soroti city and Serere district as part of his Teso sub-region tour in Uganda's east.
“We continue to be disciplined and non-violent,” he said, also urging Ugandans to exercise their rights strictly within the law.
Kyagulanyi also dismissed President Yoweri Museveni’s recent claims that the opposition stole millions of votes from him, saying the allegations were inconsistent and underscored the need for citizens to peacefully safeguard their ballots.
This week, Museveni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate and the incumbent in the eight-strong race, claimed that 2.7 million NRM votes were stolen in the 2021 elections, but said the introduction of biometric voting machines would help prevent such malpractice during the 2026 general elections.
“Gen Museveni first said we stole one million votes, then two million, and now 2.7 million votes from Kampala, which has only about 1.2 million voters,” said Kyagulanyi.
In the last election, Museveni was declared winner of 58.38% of the vote, ahead of closest challenger Kyagulanyi (35.08%) and nine other candidates.
To stay or not to stay
Recently, security agencies, including the army, urged voters to go home after voting, following Kyagulanyi’s appeal for voters to remain at polling stations to safeguard their votes.
Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama has also previously urged voters to leave polling stations after casting their ballots next year. The same message was echoed by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who on Monday (December 15) warned against electoral violence.
Speaking at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala, during the pipping ceremony of promoted senior officers, the CDF appealed to citizens to vote peacefully and leave polling stations immediately after voting.
However, Kyagulanyi has encouraged voters to remain at polling stations after casting their ballots to observe the process, insisting that this is a lawful and non-violent right provided for under the Presidential Elections Act.
“After voting, don’t leave. Stay there peacefully, non-violently and in an orderly manner and observe the election,” he urged.
The NUP leader cautioned security agencies against using force on civilians and appealed to police and military personnel to respect the rights of citizens who assemble peacefully and unarmed.
Kyagulanyi also criticised the Electoral Commission for what he described as silence in the face of alleged intimidation and urged it to ensure a transparent and credible electoral process.
He called on Ugandans, particularly the youth, to seize what he described as a historic opportunity to effect change through lawful and peaceful means.
“This is not about violence or chaos. It is about standing firm, peacefully and legally, for your vote and your future."
The two-time presidential candidate, also known as Bobi Wine, urged journalists to continue documenting developments on the campaign trail, saying their cameras were vital in promoting accountability.