Police block Bobi Wine in Bugiri after arriving late

Supporters of presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi in Bugiri were on Monday left disappointed after their candidate failed to address them.

The supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer who had come to listen to Kyagulanyi on Monday were left disappointed after their candidate who arrived at the Bugiri district headquarters at around 6.30pm was blocked by the Police from addressing the crowds.

Kyagulanyi had earlier addressed campaign rallies in Mayuge and Iganga before proceeding to Bugiri.

The angry supporters started hurling insults at the Police that had been deployed at the campaign venue, prompting them to fire live bullets and tear gas at the supporters.

According to the Mityana Municipality Member of Parliament, Francis Zaake, their candidate, after addressing a rally in Iganga, was ordered to use the route through villages, forcing him to delay.

Zaake accused the Police of intentionally forcing them to use a long route which caused the delay.

He said the massive deployment of the Police and Local Defence Unit personnel at the campaign venue scared away people.

Kyagulanyi, who was also accompanied by Bugiri Municipality Member of Parliament Asuman Basalirwa, had reportedly been blocked by the Police from reaching the campaign venue but managed to use another route to proceed to the venue.

Shortly upon arrival, he was blocked by the Police from addressing the crowds.

Supporters who arrived as early as 8:30am at the campaign venue were entertained by musicians such as Young Mulo and Muniru Mugoya among others.

 Godfrey Nabongho, one of the NUP supporters, expressed disappointment over the failure of Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine to talk to them.

"I travelled 10km to reach here to listen to my candidate, but I am now disappointed that he did not speak to us," he said.

Jalia Kagoya, a contestant for the position of youth councillor for Eastern division in Bugiri on NUP ticket, said many youth in the area support Kyagulanyi.

Basalirwa said they were seeking alternative ways of addressing the crowds through the media.

"We passed through rough roads in the villages making it hard to reach on time," he said.

The District Police Commander for Bugiri, Jeff Sebuyungo, declined to talk about the incident.