Why NUP's Kyagulanyi failed to campaign in Amuria

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National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu cancelled his planned rallies in Amuria district on Wednesday (December 17), following a day of confrontation with security forces.

​While Kyagulanyi successfully addressed supporters in Katakwi and Kapelebyong districts, his attempt to reach neighbouring Amuria was unsuccessful. 

Kyagulanyi during his campaign rally. (File/New Vision/Ponsiano Nsimbi)

Voters cheering Kyagulanyi. (File/New Vision/Ponsiano Nsimbi)

After spending the night in Kumi district, Kyagulanyi’s convoy proceeded to Katakwi at around 11:30am on Wednesday, before making a stopover at Gweri trading centre in Soroti city and another at Akoboi Omodo trading centre.

Upon entering Katakwi, his motorcade had a brief standoff with the Police over routes.

Nonetheless, Kyagulanyi eventually held a rally at Kapelebyong Primary School. His progress towards Amuria was halted by a security blockade just two kilometres after the venue.

Some eyewitnesses reported that the standoff lasted over three hours and that by the time the NUP leader's convoy was permitted to move, night had fallen, making the Amuria rallies legally and logistically impossible.

​'Unauthorised' deviations

In a statement, the Uganda Police blamed Kyagulanyi for the missed rallies, alleging that he repeatedly deviated from the Electoral Commission’s approved roadmap.

​“He arrived at Toroma Town Council at about 1340 hours (1:40pm) and, instead of proceeding to the agreed venue, addressed people along the roadside,” the statement said.

The Police further said that Kyagulanyi’s team refused to use suggested alternative routes for safety and compliance, leading to "avoidable time constraints".

The tension reached a breaking point late Wednesday evening as the convoy retreated toward Soroti. 

Approximately five kilometres from the city, security forces again halted the motorcade. During a two-hour confrontation, security personnel fired teargas.

'Blocked us'

Kyagulanyi later took to social media platform X and expressed fears for his safety and also accused the military and Police of "blocking and hounding" his team to sabotage his campaign. 

He claimed the blockade was a deliberate attempt to prevent him from accessing pre-booked accommodation in Amuria.

​"The military and Police have once again blocked us, saying they can't allow us to the alternative accommodation we had booked."

​By press time, the NUP team had relocated to another hotel agreed on with the security forces in Soroti under heavy security surveillance. 

On Thursday, the NUP leader is set to campaign in Soroti and Serere districts in Uganda's east.

Here is the full statement by Police:

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Statement on Incidents of Political Activities Involving the NUP Presidential Candidate in Katakwi and Kapelebyong.

Today, December 17, 2025, the NUP presidential candidate, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, was scheduled to conduct campaign rallies in Katakwi District at Toroma Primary School and Toroma Town Council, Ocorimongin Primary School (Katakwi Town Council), and Usuk Sub-county.

In Kapelebyong District, the scheduled venue was Kapelebyong Primary School, Kapelebyong Town Council.

In Amuria District, the previously agreed campaign venues were Amuria Secondary School and Orungo Town Council playgrounds.

Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi arrived from Kumi via the Gweri–Toroma Road en route to Toroma Primary School, his first scheduled campaign venue. Along the way, he made two unauthorised stopovers at Gweri Trading Centre and Omasitei Trading Centre in Soroti District.

He arrived at Toroma Town Council at about 1340 hours. Instead of proceeding to the agreed venue, he addressed people along the roadside in Toroma Town Council, contrary to the approved campaign plan.

He later proceeded to Katakwi Town Council for his second scheduled rally. However, upon reaching the Moroto–Soroti Road junction, he declined to proceed to Ocorimongin Primary School, the agreed campaign venue.

He had a stand-off with security officers for over 30 minutes, thereby disrupting the planned activities.

Following the incident, the candidate was advised and guided to proceed to Kapelebyong District for his next scheduled rally.

Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi arrived at Kapelebyong Primary School at about 1700hours, and the rally ended at around 1750 hours.

Due to time constraints, the candidate did not proceed to Amuria District to conduct the scheduled campaign rallies. By the time activities concluded in Kapelebyong, it was past 1800 hours, which is beyond the authorised campaign time.

After the Kapelebyong rally, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi was guided to use the Kapelebyong–Apedur Road. Upon reaching the Acowa–Amuria Road, security advised him to use the Acowa–Akotomit–Abarirelela–Wera Town–Soroti Road for safety and compliance purposes.

The candidate declined this guidance and instead parked, stating his intention to proceed to Amuria Town, which was declined by security agencies as it was outside the authorised campaign time.