Three injured during Kyagulanyi's Kasese campaign

2021 ELECTIONS | VIOLENCE |

Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi's campaign rally in Kasese town turned bloody when three people were critically injured as security agents dispersed his supporters.

A woman and man sustained injuries on their feet after they were hit by teargas canisters and the third sustained a suspected gunshot wound.

The injured were part of a crowd that had been waiting from around 2.00 pm when he was scheduled to arrive and braved a downpour that lasted until around 5.00 pm when arrived.

The incident occurred as the crowd started surging forward as Kyagulanyi's motorcade, escorted by heavily armed police, arrived around 5:00 pm.

As the crowd started running into the road to have a glimpse of Kyagulanyi, they were ordered back but defiled the police orders, prompting security to use tear-gas.

Kyagulanyi was accompanied by a group of muscular men and some women locally known as kanyama, who carried the injured one by one, and took them to the police for treatment.

After the scuffle that lasted for about 45 minutes, the crowd stormed Nyakasanga playground, Kasese Municipality where Kyagulanyi was expected to address his supporters.

Speaking to his supporters, Kyagulanyi condemned the police's action but urged them not to be intimidated.

"This isn't a presidential campaign but a mission of freedom. We are here for a revolution," he said.

He claimed, "Museveni doesn't want me to campaign because he is afraid of me," Kyagulanyi noted.

Kyagulanyi also faulted the President for having arrested the Rwenzururu king, Charles Wesley Mumbere.

According to the presidential hopeful, the army and police were in for NUP because they were also seeking better welfare.

Earlier, Kyagulanyi campaigned in Ntoroko and Bundibugyo.