Police in Jinja yesterday fired live bullets and teargas to prevent the leadership of the Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), led by party president Robert Kyagulanyi from holding their first mobilisation tour in Kamuli District. The tour, planned to commence in Kamuli, faced severe resistance from security forces, blocking NUP leaders from entering the district.
Despite passing through Jinja City under heavy security deployment, the NUP top leaders, including Bobi Wine, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi, party secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya, and other officials, were stopped at Buwolelo Village, which borders Jinja and Kamuli districts. Here, police intensified their efforts by parking a truck across the road and firing teargas and live bullets, ordering the NUP leaders to return to Kampala.
“The criminals have blocked us from entering Kamuli District. Clouds of teargas and pink water over Kamuli. What a bunch of cowards,” Bobi Wine posted on his X-platform shortly after being blocked. He expressed frustration over the intense security measures, adding, “Our people have thus far braved incredible intimidation, teargas, and the sound of live bullets to receive us warmly in their thousands as we head to Kamuli. We started our journey early in the morning, but they have been waiting for us at every stop.”
The planned mobilisation tour, expected to run until June 22 ahead of the 2026 General Election, includes visits to various districts. Bobi Wine is scheduled to visit Bugweri, Pallisa, and Tororo districts today, tomorrow, and Saturday respectively, before embarking on a similar tour of central, northern, and western Uganda in the coming days.
Before setting off from the party headquarters in Makerere Kavule, Kampala, Bobi Wine stated that the party leadership had complied with all legal requirements and did not anticipate any interruptions from security operatives. He urged his supporters to maintain discipline during the tour.
However, Police spokesperson Fred Enanga had earlier informed the media that the NUP leadership had not shared details of their planned tour with the police, vowing to block them. This warning materialized as Bobi Wine and his entourage encountered a large crowd of supporters in Mbikko, Njeru Town Council, Buikwe District. Leading a procession up to the Nile Bridge in Jinja, they were met with teargas fired by police to disperse the crowd.
The situation slightly deescalated when Joel Ssenyonyi intervened and negotiated with the commanding officer, allowing Bobi Wine and a handful of NUP leaders to pass through. Despite these setbacks, the NUP leadership remains determined to continue their mobilisation efforts, with Bobi Wine emphasizing their commitment to reaching supporters across Uganda amidst growing tensions with security forces.
