NUP's Kyagulanyi campaigns in Toro sub-region

PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS

TORO - National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi resumed his campaign on Monday, days after his arrest mid-last week in Luuka district  - and subsequent release on bail by a court in Iganga district.

He got back on the road with an appearance in Kyegegwa district in Toro sub-region, but accused the Police of blocking him from accessing his planned first rally venue.

Musician-turned-politician Kyagulanyi, who is best known as Bobi Wine (his stage name), is vying for the presidency alongside 10 other candidates, including the incumbent, President Yoweri Museveni of the NRM.

Kyagulanyi said that whereas he had planned to address his supporters at Humura in Kyegegwa town, the security reportedly diverted him to Kibuye trading centre.

"You are aware that we were supposed to be at Humura rounds in Kyegegwa town, but the Police and the army have blocked us from accessing the venue," he told a rally at Kibuye.

Vincent Twesigye, the Rwenzori regional Police spokesperson, said that Kyagulanyi's campaign venue at Humura was sealed off after realizing that the campaign activity would affect the flow of traffic and business in the area.

Meanwhile, Kyagulanyi also accused the security of not allowing him to address his supporters that stood on the roadside.

After the rally, Kyagulanyi then left for his second stopover at St. Augustine's Grounds, Butiti in Kyenjojo Town Council in Kyenjojo district, reported New Vision's Apollo Mubiru.

His supporters were there to welcome him.

We have not arrested any NUP member - Kyegegwa DPC

Ahead of Kyagulanyi's appearance in Kyegegwa, there was ramped presence of Police and UPDF personnel in the area.

At a morning press conference, NUP regional coordinator Innocent Natukunda said that several party supporters who had travelled to Kyegegwa ahead of Kyagulanyi's visit had been arrested.

But the district police commander, Jesca Nawe, responded by saying no NUP supporter had been arrested in the district.

"Several of our supporters are unaccounted for. Security raided the hotels where they had booked at night and arrested them. We don't know where they are being held from," said Natukunda.

Nawe said this was not true.

She said: "We have not arrested any NUP supporter in Kyegegwa district. The security deployment is to ensure that there is calm."

After Kyegegwa was to proceed to Kyenjojo district, where he would drum up support for his campaign at St. Augustine's Grounds, Butiti.

He would then continue to his final rally in Fort Portal city at St. Leos College, Kyegobe.

The deputy Resident District Commissioner, Festus Bandeba, said they had involved Kyagulanyi's advance team of his travel plan and expected them to follow the security guidelines.

"We don't expect any confusion because we have already informed them about the guidelines and we expect them to comply."