ISINGIRO — Bobi Wine, President of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has criticized the Ugandan government for alleged intimidation tactics aimed at suppressing democratic engagement in Isingiro. Speaking at a recent event, Wine detailed the challenges faced by his party in accessing the district and accused the government of obstructing their political activities.
Wine’s comments came after a recent attempt to hold a rally in Isingiro was thwarted. According to Wine, the owner of the venue where the event was scheduled to take place was reportedly coerced into canceling the booking. This move, Wine claimed, was part of a broader strategy to prevent his party from mobilizing local support.
Despite these setbacks, Wine noted that the people of Isingiro demonstrated significant resilience. “Even though we faced attempts to block our meeting, the community’s determination to engage was evident,” he stated. He emphasized that many residents tuned into a radio program organized by his party and showed solidarity by waiting the entire day to support their message.
Wine’s criticism extended to the electoral process in Isingiro, where he alleged that the voting system is heavily manipulated. He accused government officials of pre-marking ballots in favor of President Yoweri Museveni by 8:00 AM on election day. “In Isingiro, it is reported that ballots are already ticked for Museveni before voting even begins,” Wine said.
Additionally, Wine highlighted issues with voter options in Isingiro, alleging that residents were only permitted to vote for Members of Parliament (MPs) and not for the presidency. This, he claimed, reflects a broader pattern of disenfranchisement and suppression. “This is a place where people feel increasingly suffocated and controlled by the system,” he added.
Wine expressed hope that his party’s presence in Isingiro would signal a turning point for democratic reform in the region. “I believe that our engagement here today marks the beginning of greater freedom for the people of Isingiro,” he concluded.
Summary of Allegations and Criticisms
| Issue | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue Intimidation | Allegations that the venue owner was coerced into canceling the booking for the rally. |
| Ballot Manipulation | Claims that ballots are pre-marked in favor of President Museveni before voting begins. |
| Voting Restrictions | Claims that residents are only allowed to vote for MPs, not the President. |
| Impact of NUP Presence | Bobi Wine believes their presence signifies the start of increased freedom for Isingiro. |
