📸We are peace-loving people, says NUP's Kyagulanyi

ARUA - National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential flag-bearer Robert Kyagulanyi has reiterated what he says is his commitment to upholding peace and his team continuing to cooperate with security agencies. 

He says this commitment also requires that the security act in good faith.

“For us, we are very peaceful. If the police are not involved, everything is peaceful,” he said on November 20, 2025, from Royal Host hotel in Arua City, ahead of his campaign tour in Terego and Maracha districts.

Kyagulanyi, who is canvassing support in the West Nile region ahead of next year’s General Elections, accused the Police of repeatedly disrupting his movements in attempts to block his supporters from accessing his rally in Arua City. (All Photos by Ponsiano Nsimbi)

Kyagulanyi noted that as a presidential candidate, he is entitled to unfettered access to campaign venues agreed upon with authorities. “Everything we are doing is within the law,” he said.

His comments followed violent incidents in Arua a day earlier, during which several people, including Vision Group journalists Paul Kiberu and David Tamale, were injured.

Kyagulanyi, who is canvassing support in the West Nile region ahead of next year’s General Elections, accused the Police of repeatedly disrupting his movements in attempts to block his supporters from accessing his rally in Arua City.

The chaos erupted shortly after his convoy entered the city, where groups of enthusiastic supporters lined the streets. Security personnel fired teargas and several live rounds into the air as the crowd grew, forcing many people to flee.

Kyagulanyi, who had spent the previous night in Nebbi Town, arrived in Arua at around 11:30am after driving more than 80km. 

However, in what appeared to foreshadow the events that followed, he found the Odia–Nyadri Road closed due to Police restrictions.

At Vurra, two armoured vehicles blocked the road, forcing his motorcade onto a murram route. After following it for nearly an hour, the team encountered another blockade at the Onduparaka roundabout.

Visibly frustrated, Kyagulanyi jumped out of his vehicle after a brief exchange with security officers and walked the remaining distance.

Meanwhile, his team and the supporters behind him faced further difficulty as Police attempted to stop the trailing crowd from passing through the blockade.

During the scuffle, officers fired multiple shots into the air, scattering supporters and provoking anger among some of them and they started pelting stones at the police.

On Thursday, while addressing groups of supporters who have made it a habit to gather outside his hotel, Kyagulanyi thanked the people of Arua for their warm welcome.

“Thank you very much for yesterday. And now you have come again. Do you want to kill me with love? I am very proud that you named me Obini. What you did yesterday—if every city did that, Museveni would be history. I don’t know how to repay you. We don’t have money, but if we did, each of you would get a T-shirt. As you know, we are surviving on love,” he said.

Kyagulanyi also urged residents to extend the same support to NUP flag bearers at lower levels.

“Support our bearers so we can have many Bobi Wines,” he said.

Police to arrest suspects

However, in a statement today, West Nile Police region spokesperson Josephine Angucia accused Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine of refusing to adhere to the the 'originally agreed route'. 

"Some of his supporters threw stones at police, damaging the following vehicles: UP 03271 at 16:59 hours (Registered under Arua CPS Station Diary Reference 65/19/11/2025) UP M/V 03346 at 17:34 hours (Registered under Arua CPS Station Diary Reference 70/19/11/2025) UP M/V 00173 at 17:35 hours (Registered under Arua CPS Station Diary Reference 71/19/11/2025) UP M/V 7697 (Registered under Arua CPS Station Diary Reference 78/19/11/2025)," Angucia said in a statement.

The Police added that separate cases of malicious damage have been opened, each with different reference numbers at Arua CPS. CCTV footage is being analysed to identify those involved in the damage to police vehicles.

As of now, 32 suspects have been arrested following CCTV analysis.