Kyagulanyi says Entebbe and Makindye-Ssabagabbo campaign venues cleared

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The National Unity Platform (NUP) says it has secured alternative campaign venues in Entebbe Municipality and Makindye-Ssabagabo, clearing the way for presidential rallies that had earlier been thrown into uncertainty following last-minute cancellations.

NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu revealed the development on Tuesday (December 23).

“Entebbe, let’s meet at Tanda Playground. Makindye-Ssabagabbo, we meet at Busaabala Playground,” he wrote on social media platform X.

The announced clearance eased anxiety among NUP supporters who had feared the rallies would not take place after permissions for earlier venues were abruptly withdrawn by their owners.

The uncertainty followed the cancellation of three previously approved venues, according to letters shared by Kyagulanyi. 

One of the withdrawals came from the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC), revoking an earlier offer of Muslim grounds for a rally scheduled for December 23.

“Reference is made to my earlier acceptance letter dated December 19, 2025. This is to revoke the acceptance letter which I erroneously signed without following the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council rules and regulations,” read a letter dated December 22, 2025, from Rajab Twesigye, the county sheikh for Entebbe, addressed to NUP’s Entebbe Municipality flagbearer Joyce Nabatta Namuli.

The missive added that consultations with Muslim district leadership had led to the cancellation of the booking.

Another letter, attributed to the Katabi Town Council Association, objected to the use of a community playground for what it described as “opposition politics,” arguing that the land was under a presidential pledge and designated for sports and government programmes.

“We, therefore, request you to immediately abandon that idea. The management of Tanda Playground will face serious consequences,” the letter, authored by Tom Byarugaba Tom, stated.

A third letter, dated December 20, 2025 and authored by Yusuf Sulaiman Chippo, cited ongoing court encumbrances on the playground, saying any political rally would interfere with community interests and legal proceedings.

In response to the cancellations, Kyagulanyi accused authorities of deliberately obstructing his campaign trail in Entebbe.

The Opposition politician insisted that campaigning in every constituency is a constitutional right, adding that his team had since secured the venues to ensure the rallies proceed as planned.

However, he did not give further details on the said clearance. 

Before setting off later on Tuesday from the party's headquarters at Makerere Kavule, Kyagulanyi urged his supporters to remain peaceful. 

"Let's ensure that we are on the correct side of the law. If the Police and the army do wrong things, the world will judge."

The NUP leader clarified that although they had planned to begin their day with campaigns in Entebbe, they had been forced to make alterations to start with Makindye-Ssabagabbo, with the rally there taking place at Busaabala.