Kyagulanyi calls off Kanungu rally

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National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has called off a scheduled campaign rally in Kanungu district, citing challenges in securing permission to use the planned venue.

The rally, which was due to take place on Thursday, January 8, 2026, had been planned for Kihihi Polytechnic grounds.

Kyagulanyi said the venue was reassigned shortly before the event, leaving his campaign team with no option but to cancel.

“The venue for our rally in Kanungu (Kihihi Polytechnic) has, at the last minute, been given out for an NRM function. In light of this, we are covering Mbarara only,” Kyagulanyi said on X, without giving further details.

The cancellation adds to a growing list of districts where Kyagulanyi has been unable to campaign during his nationwide tour.

These now total at least 10 districts, including Fort Portal, Amuria, Alebtong, Karenga, Kanungu, Bulambuli, Bukwo, Madi Okollo, Moroto and Nwoya.

On Monday (January 5), police blocked Kyagulanyi from campaigning in Bukwo district after security personnel intercepted his convoy, citing a breach of legally prescribed campaign hours.

Kyagulanyi was touring the Sebei sub-region when his convoy was stopped about five kilometres from Bukwo town shortly after 6.00 pm, the official daily cut-off time for campaign activities.

Under the Electoral Commission’s 2026 campaign guidelines, all presidential campaign activities must end by 6.00 pm, although candidates may be allowed an additional 30 minutes if they are already at the venue before the deadline.

Similarly, on Tuesday, Kyagulanyi was scheduled to campaign in Moroto, Amudat and Napak districts. However, he only managed to hold a rally in Amudat and a brief stopover in Napak after police blocked his movement to subsequent venues.

Shortly after the Amudat rally, police erected roadblocks that prevented Kyagulanyi from proceeding to his next destination. As a result, he relayed his message to supporters in other districts via video.

According to the 3rd Infantry Division spokesperson, Maj. Godfrey Kashaka, the army booked the venue at Naitakwae village grounds in December last year and was not aware of the NUP activities scheduled for January 6.

While some of the campaign disruptions have been attributed to disagreements over routes and venue permissions, others have been linked to logistical challenges.

Under the Electoral Commission guidelines, candidates may reschedule missed rallies as long as the new dates do not clash with campaign activities of other candidates in the affected areas.

Kyagulanyi has previously relied on this provision, including returning to Iganga after an earlier missed campaign.

NUP officials say he is using the same arrangement to revisit Mbarara district, where he was stopped after security forces intercepted his convoy at Bwizibwera trading centre on November 7, 2025.

Kyagulanyi had been scheduled to address supporters in Bwizibwera as his second rally of the day during his campaign tour ahead of the 2026 general elections.

However, the NUP convoy was intercepted by heavily armed police and military personnel, and dozens of his campaign team members and supporters were arrested.

Following that incident, police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said the arrests were prompted by what he described as persistent provocation and violent conduct by some individuals.

He cited several incidents allegedly involving NUP supporters, including assaults on police officers and civilians, damage to police vehicles, and attacks on journalists in districts such as Busia, Mayuge, Kyankwanzi, Kakumiro, Alebtong, Abim and Kiruhura.

Kituuma said the security operation in Mbarara and the surrounding areas was aimed at maintaining public order and ensuring compliance with campaign guidelines.

“We are not stopping anyone from campaigning. However, all activities must follow the agreed routes and avoid disrupting public peace,” he said.