National Unity Platform (NUP) leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu, has openly praised the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairman, Justice Simon Byabakama, for publicly condemning the interference of police and security forces in the campaigns of opposition candidates.

Speaking at a rally in Kamuli Church of Uganda grounds in Nakaseke District on Thursday, October 9th, 2025, Kyagulanyi acknowledged Byabakama’s recent comments in which he publicly instructed Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) to refrain from blocking opposition rallies.

He, however, noted that despite the public statement, the disruptions have continued and more must be done to protect the right to campaign freely.

“I want to thank you, Mr. Byabakama, for your recent remarks on TV, where you told the RDCs to stop blocking us from our rally venues. That was encouraging,” Kyagulanyi said.

Kyagulanyi called on the EC chairman to go beyond words and take concrete action to stop the ongoing disruptions.

“Mr Byabakama, we want action because even today we were blocked from accessing one of our venue and our speakers were taken away, the oppression continues,” he added.

Kyagulanyi’s remarks followed another tense day of campaigning, where he and his team were blocked from accessing a scheduled rally venue.

His campaign equipment, including loudspeakers, was reportedly seized by police, further hindering his ability to address supporters.

On September 8th, 2025, Byabakama had previously spoken out against the practice of blocking opposition candidates.

During a media briefing at the Electoral Commission’s offices in Industrial Area, he emphasized that police and RDCs have no authority to prevent presidential candidates from accessing venues for their rallies.

“Any presidential candidate has the right to go in any place of Uganda to campaign so RDC shouldn’t stop them to campaign and if they do so then they don’t deserve to be in those offices because they don’t know what they are doing” Byabakama said.

The police spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma said that it’s a reflection time for all stake holders to collectively do the right thing.“All of us need to reflect on this and even us police we may not be perfect but we all stake holders should try to do our best and do the right thing,”  Kituuma remarked.

Despite Byabakama’s public stance, opposition figures, including Kyagulanyi and FDC’s Nathan Nandala Mafabi, have faced repeated disruptions. These candidates have often been forced to take longer, rural routes to reach their rally locations after security forces blocked access to main roads.

The repeated disruptions of opposition campaigns have raised questions about the fairness of Uganda’s electoral process, with opposition parties accusing the government of using security forces to stifle political dissent.

As the 2026 elections draw closer, these tensions are expected to escalate, with opposition groups pushing for greater accountability and transparency in the run-up to voting day.