Kyagulanyi starts Kigezi tour, urges discipline from campaign team

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National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential flag-bearer Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has started his campaign tour of Kigezi region, urging members of his campaign team to exercise restraint and maintain discipline.

Kyagulanyi, who spent the night in Rubaare at the country home of his wife, Barbie Kyagulanyi, addressed his team early in the morning of November 10, 2025, before setting off for the day’s events. He cautioned them against engaging in confrontations with the Police or security agencies, saying such actions could derail their campaign.

“The Police should not get any justification. Let’s maintain peace. Even when we have a case, let’s go ahead and remain cautious. They don’t arrest us because we have a case to answer, but because they want to slow us down,” he said.

“Let’s be wise and cautious because they are looking for an excuse to arrest us. Please try hard to be slow to anger. Even I, try hard in the face of Police actions. Let everyone be his brother’s keeper.”

Kyagulanyi commended his team for what he called successful mobilisation in Mbarara, where his campaign was disrupted by arrests and heavy Police deployment on Friday.

He also gave an update on the status of his detained campaign members, saying 10 people arrested in Lira remain in custody, while 20 others detained in Mbarara were transferred to Kiruhura, where they are being held.

He described the arrests as unfair, accusing security agencies of targeting victims instead of perpetrators of violence.

“Those who attacked were spared, but the victims were instead arrested by the Police,” he said.

“We also have about 100 of our colleagues who were arrested as we went to Bwizibwera.”

The development comes against a backdrop of a series of incidents on Friday in Mbarara, where the Police arrested scores of his campaign team. 

After campaigning in Mbarara city early in the day on Friday, Kyagulanyi was heading to a planned second rally in Bwizibwera when part of his team was taken into custody and his second rally was blocked.

Police later defended the actions, noting that it was intended to bring to book some elements among Kyagulanyi's team for participating in acts of criminality, assaults on members of the security forces and vandalism of police vehicles. 

“The campaign trail for presidential candidates has largely remained peaceful. However, as previously communicated, a few individuals have persistently provoked Police and engaged in acts of violence against officers. Such conduct is unacceptable and will have consequences,” Police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said.

In a press conference ahead of his Saturday rallies, Kyagulanyi said at least 100 of his team members were in police custody, including Rwampara Woman MP aspirant Sarah Kiconco, John Muyambi (Rwampara East), and Emmanuel Kihembo (Bukanga North).

Kyagulanyi is expected to continue his campaign trail in Rukungiri and Kabale districts today, before heading to Rubanda and Kisoro on Tuesday.