Security in Arua beefed ahead of Kyagulanyi campaign

Excited supporters of National Unity Platform, (NUP), Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine are ready to receive him in Arua City this afternoon.

The supporters, most of whom were clad in red, moved around the streets chanting "people power."

However, the security team has rejected the proposed venue at Green Light Stadium, and restricted Kyagulanyi to address his supporters at Oli headquarters at the central division which is congested.

Habib Asega, the regional coordinator for NUP says they are set to receive their Presidential candidate in Arua city.

"We received him in Packwach this morning and his rally ended peacefully, as we expect to proceed to Nebbi, thereby concluding in Arua,"Asega said.

According to Asega, the security operatives have been deployed and he expects them to protect the candidate, and not cause violence or fire teargas at the supporters.

According to Asega, Kyagulanyi is expected to address the issue of intermittent power supply in West Nile and also focus on injustices in the government systems like Agriculture, land security for the people, a balanced allocation of resources and serve as a people-centred leader.

"We have a lot of hope that once Kyagulanyi becomes president, he will reduce suffering that the people are experiencing because he has lived a ghetto life and suffered similar situations," Asega said.

Asega says he is aware of the tear gas trucks parked at Arua CPS but appeals to security not to disrupt the rally. 

Yusuf Andabati aka Andi Opingopi the NUP flag bearer for Aringa County in Yumbe district appeals to the supporters to be calm.
He accused security forces of disabling the power of the people and using excessive force against the opposition. "We shall save Uganda to the Promised Land and continue to be patriotic," Andabati said.

Andabati expects Kyagulanyi to address issues of nepotism, corruption, poverty, and improve services to all Ugandans once elected to the topmost political office in Uganda.

"People in the West Nile are hardworking, but we lack support from people in power," Andabati said.

Josephine Angucia, the Police Spokesperson for the West Nile region says various security meetings were conducted and a venue secured for the NUP Presidential candidate.

She said the presence of the police teargas trucks and reinforcement of officers is to beef up security in West Nile to secure the campaigns. Angucia says the police are prepared for the campaigns.

In 2018, the visit of Kyagulanyi to Arua to gunner support for Wadri Kasiano in the by-elections ended in fracas that saw the Presidential motorcade attacked, several people injured and death of Yassin Kavuma, driver to Kyagulanyi.

Police arrested over 30 people on charges of treason while cars belonging to Kyagulanyi and other opposition politicians were impounded and are still parked at Arua Central Police Station.