The standoff, which lasted approximately 20 minutes, ended after security officers relented, allowing Mafabi to continue his campaign trail.
Mafabi, campaigning ahead of the January 2026 general elections, spent the day visiting various parts of Jinja City alongside FDC President Patrick Amuriat and other party leaders.
He began his campaign in Bugembe, a Jinja suburb, where he pledged to prioritize economic empowerment if elected president.
Mafabi outlined plans to allocate Shs100 million to each of Uganda’s 72,000 villages, funding the initiative from money lost annually to corruption.
“Every year Uganda loses Shs10 trillion in corruption scandals. I will use that money, which corrupt officials are swindling, to give to villages.
With Shs7.2 trillion shillings for 72,000 villages, I will still have a balance of 2.8 trillion, which I will give to boda boda riders and women’s groups,” Mafabi told residents in Bugembe.
The FDC flagbearer also dismissed claims that he works closely with the ruling NRM government.
“I hear allegations that Nandala works for this government, but where did I ever receive Museveni’s pay cheque from?” he asked, citing his parliamentary record and leadership roles—including chairing the Public Accounts Committee and the Committee on Economy, as well as serving as Leader of Opposition—as evidence of his independence and competence.
Later, while holding a procession along the Jinja–Iganga Highway, police diverted his convoy through Steel Rolling Mills to Walukuba–Masese. After conducting mini-rallies there, Mafabi returned to the city centre, prompting a police chase.
The situation escalated around 4pm at Jinja Main Street, when Police led by District Police Commander David Kamugira attempted to block Mafabi’s campaign.
FDC leaders engaged in a heated verbal exchange with security officers.
“Police know our schedule. We are supposed to be in Jinja today, and here we are in Jinja City, but they want us to pass in dusty roads—why?” FDC President Amuriat asked, criticising what he described as deliberate obstruction.
Jonathan Ebwalu, MP for Soroti West Division, added: “We will continue with our schedule whether police want it or not, because today we are supposed to be in Jinja.”
After roughly 20 minutes of negotiation, police allowed Mafabi to resume his campaign. The incident highlights escalating tensions between opposition politicians and security forces as Uganda heads toward the 2026 general elections.