National Unity Platform (NUP) party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has rallied his supporters in Kampala and across Uganda to turn up in overwhelming numbers and vote in the upcoming 15th January, 2026 general elections.
Kyagulanyi delivered the message on Monday, 24th November, 2025, during his campaign rally at Kanyanya Grounds in Kawempe North, where hundreds of supporters gathered despite hours of running battles with security forces.
“Thank you for withstanding all the teargas and intimidation you faced earlier on. I ask you to come out in big numbers and tell your friends across the country to do the same on January 15. Vote for the umbrella, and after voting, do not go home. Stay at the polling station and ensure our votes are not tampered with,” Kyagualnyi said.
He strongly criticized police for what he described as excessive and unjustified use of force against his supporters.
“I condemn, in the strongest terms, the way we were tear-gassed the whole day. Many of my supporters have been beaten, others injured or arrested. Yet you are still here in large numbers, strong and unshaken. We shall not stop and we shall not be scared,” the NUP party president stated.
However, Uganda Police spokesperson ACP Rusoke Kituumwa defended the police intervention, saying officers acted within the law.
He explained that the arrested supporters had committed offenses and argued that the use of teargas was necessary because the crowds allegedly incited violence and attacked security personnel.
“Our security officers were attacked with stones, and seven have sustained injuries. Several security vehicles, including an ambulance, were damaged,” ACP Rusoke said.
“Public order management measures were necessary, and seven suspects have been arrested in connection with these incidents,” he added.
Earlier in the day, police dispersed crowds of NUP supporters who attempted to escort Kyagulanyi from the party headquarters in Kavule to his first rally at Growers Grounds in Bwaise. A second round of teargas was fired as supporters tried to escort him again from Bwaise to Kanyanya.
Kyagulanyi, who campaigned in Kawempe North and South on Monday, is scheduled to continue his week-nine trail in Mukono on Tuesday, 25th November, before proceeding to Buikwe, Kayunga, Jinja City, and later concluding the week with a rally in Masaka City on Saturday, 29th November, 2025.
