Why Police blocked Kyagulanyi’s campaign in Bukwo

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Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu was on January 5, 2026, blocked from campaigning in Bukwo district after security personnel intercepted his convoy, citing a breach of the legally prescribed campaign hours.

Kyagulanyi, who is campaigning under the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag, was campaigning in Sebei region as part of his nationwide campaign tour. However, the Police stopped his convoy about five kilometres from Bukwo town. 

Kyagulanyi during his campaign. (Credit: Ponsiano Nsimbi)

Bystanders looking on during Kyagulanyi's campaign. (Credit: Ponsiano Nsimbi)

Kyagulanyi with supporters at his rally. (Credit: Ponsiano Nsimbi)

The interception occurred shortly after 6:00pm, the official daily cutoff time for campaign activities.

Kyagulanyi protested the decision, questioning the conduct of the officers, but despite the exchange, security personnel insisted that the convoy could not proceed to the designated campaign venue.

Under the Electoral Commission’s 2026 guidelines, all presidential campaign activities are required to take place before 6:00pm, but candidates can be allowed up to 30 minutes if they are at the venue before 6:00pm.

Kyagulanyi’s official programme for the day included the districts of Kween, Kapchorwa and Bukwo. 

While he managed brief stopovers in Kween and Kapchorwa to address supporters, delays earlier in the day meant his convoy reached the Bukwo approach after the permitted time.

Kyagulanyi addressing voters at his campaign rally. (Credit: Ponsiano Nsimbi)

Residents cheering Kyagulanyi. (Credit: Ponsiano Nsimbi)

The Bukwo incident brings to over eight the districts where Kyagulanyi has failed to hold a scheduled campaign rally due to time constraints, bad roads or security interventions. Some of the other districts where he failed to campaign include Amuria, Mbarara, Alebtong, Karenga, Kanungu, Bulambuli and Nwoya. 

Following a brief standoff, Kyagulanyi and his team turned back and drove to Kapchorwa, where he and his campaign team spent the night. He later addressed the incident on his X (formerly Twitter) account, accusing security agencies of deliberately frustrating his campaign.

“While we were trying to utilise our campaign schedule as intended, the regime Police used all their might to disrupt our campaign in Kween district with teargas and thereafter blocked us from proceeding to Bukwo district,” Kyagulanyi wrote. “They are afraid of our message reaching the grassroots.”

Kyagulanyi also condemned the alleged assault of BBS TV journalist Ivan Mbadi, describing it as evidence of growing hostility towards the press during the election period.

“Attacking journalists is a clear sign of a regime that is afraid of the truth,” Kyagulanyi said. 

“When reporters are beaten, democracy itself is under attack.”

A video circulating on social media shows Mbadi being intercepted by three armed men. In the footage, the journalist appears to be dragged alongside a vehicle as his assailants repeatedly strike his head against the vehicle’s frame before releasing him.

By press time, Police had not issued an official statement regarding the alleged assault on the journalist or the conduct of officers involved in the Bukwo blockade.

Earlier in the day, Kyagulanyi made brief stopovers in Chemunye and Atari in Bukwo and Kween, respectively, accompanied by local leaders, including Harriet Simba Chemutai, a Kapchorwa Woman MP aspirant, and NUP mobiliser Khalifan Chemutai. Addressing supporters, Kyagulanyi highlighted his policy priorities, particularly youth empowerment and access to basic services.

“This region is gifted by nature and by its people, but a lot of talent from here goes unrewarded,” he said, referring to Sebei’s strong presence in athletics and creative arts. “Uganda is rich in talent, but young people remain poor because there is no deliberate government support.”

He pledged to introduce a national programme aimed at identifying and nurturing talent among young people in sports, arts and innovation, saying it would create employment and spur national development.

Kyagulanyi also promised to expand access to water and electricity to rural and mountainous households.

“In 2026, no Ugandan should still be living without water and power,” he said, adding that access to utilities should be treated as a right rather than a political favour.

Urging supporters to remain hopeful, Kyagulanyi said political change was achievable. “You are the solution. When you vote for a new government, it will come with a new agenda,” he said. “I want you to believe that change is possible.”