In several districts, including Gulu and Buikwe, the army has reportedly used live ammunition, tear gas, and physical blockades to disperse the massive crowds gathered to hear the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader speak. He has repeatedly challenged the legality of the military’s intervention, questioning why the state is “so scared” of a pop star-turned-politician if they are not planning to rig the upcoming vote. Wine’s camp maintains that these restrictions are a desperate attempt by a 40-year regime to silence a youth-led movement demanding democratic change.In contrast, Ugandan officials and security spokespersons have defended their actions as necessary measures for maintaining public order.
Government representatives frequently claim that opposition rallies are “unauthorized” or disrupt essential traffic and commerce. In some instances, officials have accused the NUP of inciting violence and disregarding safety guidelines set by the Electoral Commission. Major General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and son of the President, has also been drawn into the fray, with new directives requiring military clearance for sensitive communication equipment, further tightening the state’s grip on the electoral process.
With only weeks remaining until the polls, the international community has expressed growing concern over the shrinking democratic space in Uganda. The ongoing military blockade of Bobi Wine’s campaigns serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the opposition in their attempt to unseat one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.
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