National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, has accused the government of coercing citizens to attend President Yoweri Museveni’s rally in Rubanda District, alleging that security forces blocked people from leaving the venue until the president arrived.
In a statement shared alongside a circulating video, Kyagulanyi claimed the mobilisation was neither voluntary nor organic, saying authorities transported residents including school children and compelled civil servants to be present in order to portray high turnout.
“The regime, left with nothing to offer, ferries people including school children to Museveni’s rallies, and orders all civil servants to attend them in order to project big numbers,” Kyagulanyi said.
He alleged that military personnel at the rally prevented attendees from exiting, and that some people resorted to pretending they needed to use the toilet in order to be allowed to leave.
Kyagulanyi further asserted that those seen leaving in the video were “protesting by running away from the rally,” describing the situation as emblematic of what he called “a shameless dictatorship.”
The video has been widely shared online, prompting fresh debate over political mobilisation practices in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.
The claims come amid continued opposition criticism of state involvement in campaign events and the use of public institutions to boost attendance.
Government and security officials have not issued a formal response to the allegations.
In previous instances, authorities have defended presidential rallies as voluntary and representative of grassroots support.
The circumstances surrounding the Rubanda event, including whether movement restrictions were imposed, could not be independently verified at the time of publication.