By At least 32 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters have been arrested following violent clashes with police during Robert Kyagulanyi’s campaign tour in Arua District and Arua City on Wednesday, authorities have confirmed.
According to Angucia Josephine, the Police Spokesperson for West Nile Region, the disruptions occurred after Kyagulanyi’s supporters allegedly diverted from the officially approved campaign route, resulting in confrontations and acts of vandalism.
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Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, began his campaign at Okazara Primary School grounds in Vurra Subcounty but failed to address supporters there. He later made stopovers at Ovisoni Trading Centre, Giligili, and Onduparaka Trading Centre, waving to crowds gathered along the road.
Trouble reportedly began when Kyagulanyi attempted to access Arua City Centre using a route that security teams said had not been agreed upon during the pre-campaign planning meeting. Police blocked the path, prompting him to make a U-turn before secretly boarding a numberless boda boda, wearing a helmet, and navigating through the city centre to the NUP offices in Oli Central Division.
There, he climbed onto the roof of an unfinished building and addressed his supporters before proceeding toward Inzikuru Stadium in Barifa, accompanied by a large, rowdy crowd.
Angucia said that along Rhino Camp Road, some supporters began pelting stones at police vehicles, damaging four: UP 03271, UP 03346, UP 00173, and UP 7697. Each incident has been recorded under separate case references at Arua CPS.
A joint team is reviewing CCTV footage to identify additional perpetrators. So far, 32 suspects have been arrested and are detained at Arua Central Police Station.
The Inspector of Motor Vehicles is expected to assess the extent of the damage to police vehicles as investigations continue. No injuries were reported.
Angucia appealed to political candidates and their supporters to follow campaign guidelines and avoid violent behavior that could lead to injuries, loss of life, or disruption of public order.
