The National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has urged his supporters to turn out in big numbers and cast their votes in Thursday’s elections.
Addressing supporters yesterday at Agha Khan Grounds in Old Kampala, Mr Kyagulanyi called on his supporters to overcome fear that he said was occasioned by intimidation by security operatives and officials of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
He said they should marshal their courage to remove what he termed Mr Museveni’s dictatorial regime from power.
Stepping onto the stage as his hit song Katengo played, Mr Kyagulanyi said intimidation of NUP supporters by security personnel was a deliberate State strategy aimed at weakening the Opposition.
Call for perseverance
‘We have seen many of our people abducted by security forces, whisked away to unknown places, and tortured. They are told to denounce our struggle, but many have refused, and that is why they are in prison,’ he said.
‘These are psychological and mental tactics meant to instil fear. I urge you to overcome fear and stick to the truth. Do not be intimidated by the threats of Gen Museveni. We don’t break the law, and we have nothing to fear,’ he added.
Mr Kyagulanyi claimed that more than 460 NUP supporters had been arrested across the country during the campaign period, with over 10 deaths linked to election-related violence.
‘When we started this journey, I warned you that you would see your leaders broken and disillusioned, but I want to tell you one thing, do not give up on the fight to free Uganda,’ he said.
Claims of bias The NUP leader also accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of colluding with the NRM partyto disqualify Opposition candidates and allow ruling party candidates to go unopposed.
As of yesterday, at least 14 candidates were unopposed in the current elections, the majority from the NRM, while 12 candidates had been disqualified, seven from NUP, four independents, and one from the People’s Front for Freedom.
‘They want to portray themselves as overwhelmingly popular, yet they are not. The EC has clearly shown that it has taken sides, but the people are watching,’ Mr Kyagulanyi said.
However, EC Spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi rejected the accusations, saying the Commission makes decisions based strictly on the law and available evidence. ‘We do not look at party affiliation, religion, or region. We receive complaints and make decisions in accordance with the law…,’ Mr Mucunguzi said.