National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has urged Ugandans across the country to turn up in overwhelming numbers for the January 15, 2026 general elections, even as his Monday rallies in Kawempe were marred by clashes between police and supporters.

Kyagulanyi delivered the call at Kanyanya Grounds in Kawempe North, where he addressed thousands of supporters who had gathered despite earlier confrontations with security forces.

He praised them for their resilience and urged them to mobilise others.

“Thank you for withstanding all the teargas and intimidation that happened earlier. I ask you to come in big numbers and tell your friends across the country to vote on January 15. Vote the umbrella, and after voting, don’t go home — stay at the polling station to ensure our votes are not tampered with, ” Kyagulanyi said.

The day’s events had already turned tense before Kyagulanyi arrived at the venue. As he set off from the NUP headquarters in Kavule, large groups of supporters escorting him to his first stop at Growers Grounds in Bwaise were dispersed by police using teargas.

After his address in Bwaise, a similar confrontation occurred as supporters attempted to accompany him to Kanyanya for the second rally.

Kyagulanyi condemned what he described as excessive force by security forces, saying that many of his supporters had been beaten, injured, or arrested. He vowed to continue with his campaign activities despite the disruptions.

“I condemn in the strongest way the teargassing we faced the whole day. Many of my supporters have been beaten, many are injured, and many have been arrested. Yet here you are, still strong and in big numbers. We shall not stop, and we shall not be intimidated, ” he said.

However, Uganda Police spokesperson Kituumwa Rusoke defended the actions of the officers deployed in Kawempe, saying the crowd became violent and posed a threat to security personnel.

According to Rusoke, several supporters engaged in criminal acts, prompting police to enforce crowd control measures.

“Our officers were attacked with stones and seven sustained injuries. Several security vehicles, including an ambulance, were damaged. Security personnel responded using public management procedures, and seven suspects have been arrested in connection with these incidents, ” ACP Rusoke stated.

Kyagulanyi, who campaigned in both Kawempe North and South on Monday, is expected to continue his mobilisation efforts in Mukono on Tuesday before heading to Buikwe, Kayunga, Jinja City, and Masaka City later in the week as NUP enters the ninth week of its campaign trail.