NAKASONGOLA — National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu told supporters at a campaign stop in Nakasongola to put aside fear and be ready to “march to victory” on polling day whether or not the government leaves the internet on.
Speaking to a large crowd that he said had been forced into nearby bush after the district security committee declared trading centres off-limits, Kyagulanyi warned that authorities may again switch off internet and mobile services to cover up electoral fraud.
He urged supporters to form local vigilance committees to keep information flowing and maintain coordination if digital communications are disrupted.
Kyagulanyi gave practical instructions on how to organise: supporters should form “core groups” of five in each locality, link up with neighbouring groups and move into towns to begin celebrating their victory at polling stations, he said — adding that spontaneous mass celebrations would make it impossible for security forces to stop them. “Move into those towns and cities and begin to celebrate immediately and don’t stop that celebration until the dictator gets overwhelmed and goes away,” he told the crowd.
The NUP leader also accused authorities of planning to detain him and other senior party figures to deprive supporters of leadership on election day, and he appealed for calm but determined organisation so supporters can “overwhelm and surprise” the regime through numbers. Local security restrictions on Kyagulanyi’s campaign — including limits on rally locations imposed by the district security committee — have been widely reported.
The campaign stop in Nakasongola follows a string of similar rallies where Kyagulanyi has faced heavy restrictions from security agencies. NUP organisers say the crowd’s persistence despite restrictions shows strong grassroots momentum ahead of the vote.
