NUP president and presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu continued his campaign trail in Busiro North and South on Tuesday, facing repeated interference from security forces.
Before departing his home in Magere, Wakiso District, Kyagulanyi challenged security operatives to stop what he described as persistent harassment and intimidation of his supporters.
He criticized the frequent use of tear gas, saying such actions undermine democratic participation. In a pointed but light remark, he added that if security insisted on using tear gas, they should at least avoid the blue variety previously deployed in Mukono.
At around 1:00 pm, Kyagulanyi set off for Busiro to mobilize voters ahead of Thursday, January 15. Along Gayaza Road, security personnel blocked his convoy, briefly halting his movement.
He was later diverted through alternative routes via the Northern Bypass and Masanafu, only to be stopped again and redirected toward Ssentema.
Police also attempted to prevent his supporters from accessing the roads, firing multiple rounds of tear gas. Despite these disruptions, crowds repeatedly reassembled ahead of his convoy.
Similar scenes occurred as he entered Bukasa, where police again used tear gas to disperse supporters.
Observers noted that red tear gas was used this time, seemingly in response to Kyagulanyi’s earlier remarks about the blue variety.
After a journey lasting approximately four hours and forty minutes, Kyagulanyi arrived at Ssentema Playground, where he addressed a rally.
Hundreds of supporters filled the grounds, many kneeling to welcome him.
During the rally, local residents Nasif Najja and Ronald Ssemaganda raised concerns including poor road infrastructure and long-standing challenges in the health sector.
Kyagulanyi engaged with these grievances as part of his broader campaign message on service delivery and governance reform.
The Busiro tour underscored the tense atmosphere surrounding opposition campaigns, marked by heavy security deployment and repeated confrontations, even as Kyagulanyi continues to press his bid for the presidency.