Police have accused the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, of violating agreed campaign guidelines during his campaign tour in parts of Katakwi, Kapelebyong, Soroti, and Amuria districts.
According to police, the NUP candidate was scheduled to conduct campaign rallies on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at specifically approved venues. In Katakwi District, the cleared locations included Toroma Primary School in Toroma Town Council, Ocorimongin Primary School in Katakwi Town Council, and Usuk Sub-county. In Kapelebyong District, the approved venue was Kapelebyong Primary School in Kapelebyong Town Council, while in Amuria District, rallies had been sanctioned at Amuria Secondary School and Orungo Town Council playgrounds.
Police state that Hon. Kyagulanyi arrived from Kumi District via the Gweri–Toroma Road en route to Toroma Primary School, his first scheduled rally venue in Katakwi District. However, along the way, he allegedly made unauthorized stopovers at Gweri Trading Centre and Omasitei Trading Centre in Soroti District, where he addressed members of the public, contrary to the agreed campaign programme.
Authorities further report that upon reaching Toroma Town Council at around 1:40 pm, the NUP candidate did not proceed directly to the designated campaign venue. Instead, he reportedly addressed crowds along the roadside within Toroma Town Council, an action police say was not part of the approved campaign plan and posed safety and traffic concerns.
Kyagulanyi later proceeded toward Katakwi Town Council for his second scheduled rally. However, police allege that upon reaching the Moroto–Soroti Road junction, he declined to proceed to Ocorimongin Primary School, the venue earlier agreed upon by both the campaign team and security agencies. This reportedly resulted in a standoff between the candidate’s team and security officers that lasted more than 30 minutes, disrupting traffic and the campaign schedule.
Police say repeated efforts were made to persuade the candidate to proceed to the designated venue, but without success. Following the standoff, security personnel advised and guided the NUP candidate to proceed to Kapelebyong District for his next scheduled rally to avoid further delays and maintain the overall campaign programme.
Hon. Kyagulanyi arrived at Kapelebyong Primary School at about 5:00 pm, where he addressed supporters. The rally concluded at around 5:50 pm and, according to police, proceeded peacefully. However, authorities noted that the late start affected the remainder of the day’s campaign itinerary.
Due to time constraints, the NUP presidential candidate did not proceed to Amuria District to conduct the scheduled rallies at Amuria Secondary School and Orungo Town Council playgrounds. Police state that by the time activities in Kapelebyong ended, it was past 6:00 pm, beyond the authorised campaign time stipulated in the guidelines.
After the Kapelebyong rally, security officers guided the candidate to use the Kapelebyong–Apedur Road for onward travel. Upon reaching the Acowa–Amuria Road, police advised him to take the Acowa–Akotomit–Abarirelela–Wera Town–Soroti Road, citing safety and compliance considerations. However, police allege that the candidate declined the guidance and instead parked his convoy, stating his intention to proceed to Amuria Town. Security agencies reportedly declined this move, explaining that campaign activities in Amuria could not proceed as it was outside the permitted campaign hours.
Police have reiterated that all presidential candidates are required to strictly adhere to agreed campaign schedules, venues, and timelines to ensure public safety, order, and fairness during the electoral process.
Meanwhile, Hon. Kyagulanyi, while addressing the media on Thursday at Hursey Resort in Soroti, accused security agencies of deliberately frustrating opposition campaigns. Police have repeatedly denied the accusation, maintaining that their actions are guided by the law and the need to maintain peace and security.
The Electoral Commission has previously urged all candidates and their supporters to respect campaign guidelines, warning that deviations could lead to disruptions or cancellation of campaign activities as the country moves closer to the 2026 general elections.
