The Uganda Police Force has denied claims by National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, that security officers blocked his planned campaign in Iganga Municipality.
Bobi Wine had earlier accused the military and police of frustrating his campaign efforts by stopping his convoy from entering Iganga and intimidating venue owners who had offered space for his rally.
“We have been blocked from proceeding to Iganga for our campaigns by the military and police! Although two other presidential candidates have campaigned in Iganga Municipality, the RDC, RPC, and DPC have insisted that we must not campaign there,” Bobi Wine said in a statement.
He claimed his team had been forced to use “long, dusty roads” and that security forces came “armed to the teeth to injure or kill our people.” The NUP leader said the campaign was postponed and that he would engage the Electoral Commission for clarification.
However, the police dismissed these allegations, saying the opposition candidate failed to follow the agreed campaign route.
“The National Unity Platform claims that Presidential Candidate Mr. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has been denied the opportunity to campaign in Iganga Municipality today, 3rd October 2025. We wish to clarify that they were scheduled to hold rallies in both Mayuge and Iganga districts. The rally in Mayuge was successfully held,” the police statement read.
“On their way to Iganga, Candidate Sentamu and his group were advised to follow the agreed-upon route to Namungale Grounds. However, they opted to take an alternative route where they encountered our cutoffs,” it added.
Police urged the NUP candidate to respect security arrangements to ensure smooth and peaceful campaigns across the country.
The incident comes as the 2026 general election campaigns continue to heat up, with opposition figures accusing security agencies of selective enforcement while authorities insist they are only maintaining order.
