Since Tuesday, Fort Portal City has remained under heavy security deployment, with both police and UPDF personnel occupying most streets. By Wednesday morning, the presence of armed officers, some carrying guns and others wielding sticks, had only intensified.
Security operatives were seen patrolling the city on motorcycles and pickup trucks, with some military trucks stationed at several junctions, completely blocking access to Rukidi III Street and the road leading to Kenneth Inn Hotel, where the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi and his wife, Barbie Itungo spent the night.
Early in the morning, some NUP supporters who had gathered near the hotel, hoping to see Mr Kyagulanyi before he left for Kyenjojo and Kyegegwa for his scheduled campaign activities, were swiftly dispersed, with security officers arguing that the crowds were disrupting business operations. Many business owners along Rukidi III Street reported being unable to open their shops since the previous day due to the tension and roadblocks.
Residents and traders expressed frustration, describing the deployment as excessive and unnecessary. Some said the sheer presence of armed forces had scared people, disrupted transport, and created wartime like atmosphere.
One of the traders, Ms Jane from Roda Kahinju, lamented that customers had stayed away since Tuesday evening after gunshots and tear gas rocked the city. She said that even by Wednesday morning, security officers were still blocking several streets, further preventing normal business operations.
Unlike the previous day, when some NUP supporters attempted to sell merchandise along the streets, Wednesday morning saw them operating in fear of confiscation. On Tuesday, security personnel had already stopped party members from selling near the NUP Tooro Sub-region offices along Bwamba Road.
Security block Kyagulanyi campaigns
On Tuesday, security operatives in the Tooro Sub-region blocked Mr Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, from campaigning at his scheduled venues in Kabarole and Fort Portal City, leaving many of his supporters disappointed.
Out of the three districts where he was scheduled to hold rallies, Bunyangabu, Kabarole, and Fort Portal, he was only permitted to campaign in Bunyangabu, at Busiita Playground, under heavy security deployment. Even access to that venue required several diversions.
Mr Kyagulanyi was unable to reach his campaign venues in Kabarole and Fort Portal after being blocked twice along the Fort Portal-Bundibugyo Road; first at Buteebe Trading Centre and later at Kahinju Secondary School.
At Buteebe Trading Centre, the blockade by UPDF and police began at 3pm and lasted until after 7pm, after which he was escorted under tight security to his lodge. During the standoff, NUP supporters who attempted to get closer to their candidate were dispersed with tear gas and live bullets fired in the air. Some were beaten and others were arrested.
Before Mr Kyagulanyi was finally allowed to leave the area, security operatives dispersed people along the Fort Portal-Bundibugyo roadside with tear gas to prevent them from gathering or waving at him as he passed.
Supporters speaks out
Mr John Byaruhanga, who sells produce on Ruhandiika Street, said the deployment has affected both movement and business.
‘The streets are blocked, Boda Bodas are being chased, and customers cannot reach us. How do we survive if we cannot sell for two straight days? We have school fees and rent to pay. This is too much,’ he said.
NUP supporters have accused security agencies of unfairly blocking Mr Kyagulanyi’s campaigns while allowing other presidential candidates, including incumbent Yoweri Museveni, to campaign freely in the region last week.
‘It is clear they don’t want Bobi Wine to speak to us. Museveni was here with big crowds, and no one blocked him. Even other candidates have been allowed. Why only Kyagulanyi? This is not democracy,’ Mr Daniel Ariho said.
Ms Atwooki Businge, another supporter, said the treatment was unfair and intimidating.
‘We just wanted to see our candidate, but they treated us like criminals. Why are other candidates allowed to meet their supporters and only ours is blocked?’ she asked.