Ugandan opposition presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, vowed on Tuesday to fire Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja if elected president, as his campaign convoy clashed with police in Kakumiro District — Nabbanja’s political stronghold.
Speaking at Kakeeka Playground after a tense confrontation with security forces, Kyagulanyi told supporters that Nabbanja and Finance Minister Matia Kasaija should not be re-elected to Parliament, accusing the prime minister of incompetence.
“Tell Nabbanja that she’s fired. She has to go,” he declared to cheers from the crowd.
“As soon as I am sworn in, she will be sacked. Nabbanja will not have a job.”
The remarks came days after Nabbanja reportedly urged residents of Kakumiro to stay indoors and not attend rallies organized by Kyagulanyi’s National Unity Platform (NUP), warning that opposition gatherings were “disruptive and deceptive.”
Her appeal was widely interpreted as a move to undermine turnout for the opposition leader’s first campaign stop in the district.
Police chopper at the campaign grounds
Kyagulanyi’s arrival nonetheless drew large crowds, but tensions flared when his convoy deviated from an agreed campaign route.
The Uganda Police Force said Kyagulanyi was scheduled to hold a rally in Kisiita Town Council but diverted to Kakumiro Town Council.
“Despite repeated guidance by officers to adhere to the planned route, he and his driver disobeyed police directions and drove on the pavement,” police said. Officers later allowed the convoy to proceed “to de-escalate the situation.”
At Kakeeka Playground, not the approved Kisiita venue, police said members of Kyagulanyi’s crowd damaged the windscreen of a patrol vehicle, prompting a helicopter deployment to contain the situation.
“To de-escalate the standoff, police allowed the crowd to access Kakeeka grounds and maintained security using a helicopter stationed at the venue,” the statement read.
Kyagulanyi accused the authorities of intimidation. “At Kakeeka grounds in Kakumiro District, the regime police landed a chopper at our venue and tried to block us from addressing our supporters,” he said.
Police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke said officers acted with professionalism despite “provocation and violation of campaign guidelines.”
“We urge candidate Kyagulanyi and his supporters to adhere to the agreed positions with his organizing teams. While our officers remain committed to professionalism, they continue to face increasing confrontation and provocation. That will not be tolerated,” Rusoke said.
