There was widespread disappointment on Monday evening at Ntawo Grounds in Mukono Municipality after National Unity Platform (NUP) president and 2026 presidential aspirant Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu failed to show up for his scheduled final rally in the area.
Thousands of supporters, who included youth, elderly residents, and party leaders, had filled the venue from early morning, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their candidate, who had been traversing the Buganda region mobilising support ahead of the forthcoming elections. As the hours passed with no sign of him, frustration steadily grew among the expectant crowd.
Kyagulanyi is said to have arrived in Mukono at around 11:00 a.m. he was welcomed at the Nakiyanja border of Mukono and Kira. He later paid a courtesy visit to his grandfather, clan leader Namutwe, and continued touring several locations, including Nakifuma, Mukono North, and Mukono South. He was expected to conclude the day’s activities at Ntawo Grounds, but the plan was reportedly derailed by heavy deployment of police and military personnel across the district.
With supporters still waiting into the evening, organisers called in senior NUP leaders to calm the gathering. Among those who addressed the crowd were party treasurer Benjamin Katana, Paul Kakande, Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake, parliamentary aspirant Bulasiyo Zabaali Mukasa, and several Mukono-area politicians led by Mukono Central Division chairperson and mayoral hopeful Robert Peter Kabanda.
NUP deputy president for the Buganda region, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, urged the people of Mukono to promote unity and reject tribal divisions.
“We ask you to refrain from tribal discrimination. We all come from different backgrounds, but we share one goal: achieving change. That can only happen if we stand together,” Muwanga told supporters.
NUP registrar for Mukono municipality Richard Lugolobi Kasirivu and youth councillor Margaret Natabi cautioned supporters against engaging with individuals posing as party members.
“Some people are moving around pretending to be NUP supporters, yet they have no party cards,” they said. “Do not entertain impostors whose intention is to divide our vote.”
Several frustrated supporters condemned the security agencies for blocking Kyagulanyi’s entry into town and urged the Electoral Commission to grant him another day to campaign in Mukono.
Goma Division chairperson Humphrey Kyassa described how security forces had erected roadblocks, fired tear gas, and harassed people along village routes, leaving many unable to reach the rally venue.
By 6:00 p.m., Counter Terrorism Police had begun surrounding and dispersing the crowd from Ntawo Grounds, a move many interpreted as an attempt to prevent the rally from proceeding altogether.
