National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, has urged Ntungamo residents to reject sectarian appeals and confront oppression head-on to challenge the status quo.
Addressing residents along Kaguta Road in Ntungamo town, Kyagulanyi emphasised that oppression is a nationwide issue, affecting youth across regions.
“A youth in Busoga, a youth in Buganda, and a youth in Ntungamo face the same challenges,” he said. “No one should deceive you that you’re better off; the entire country is under the heavy hand of oppression by the regime.”
Kyagulanyi’s rally was initially diverted to Ruhoko Primary School playground, but he chose to address the crowd in the town center.
“Our rally venue was disrupted, but we’re still here,” he said. “I urge you to vote out the regime and give us hope.”
Accompanied by his wife, Babra Itungo, Kyagulanyi appealed to residents to support her as a candidate for first lady.
“My in-laws, I ask for a chance to vote for the first lady,” he said.
NUP candidates, including Godwin Rubahamya Magambo, condemned the heavy security deployment that prevented people from accessing the rally venue.
“Many people were beaten, some were undressed as they tried to access the agreed venue of the rally, yet it was the police that allocated us the venue,” Magambo said.
However, Ivan Rutahweire, head of the NRM campaign in Ntungamo, claimed the campaign was peaceful.
“We shall not allow any violence here in Ntungamo; everyone will campaign and be free,” he said.
Tensions escalated as police clashed with NUP supporters, arresting several, including in Mbarara. Kyagulanyi vowed not to be intimidated, stating, “Security forces want to kill our spirit, but we’ll not be cowed. We know we have a vote to win.”