Motorists in Moroto town in northeastern Uganda got held up in rare traffic jam after police mounted at least 7 roadblocks to block National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Robert Sentamu Kyagulanyi from appearing in Ateker FM radio studios.
Dozens of vehicles destined to and from Moroto were held up for several hours as the police barricaded the Kotido-Moroto road at Naitakwae - some 3 kilometres to Moroto town.
Heavily armed police officers led by Moroto district police commander, Jude Nasucha barricaded the road a few meters from Naitakwae, where Kyagulanyi had just finished addressing a massive campaign rally to block him from accessing Moroto town where he had booked airtime on the radio for a talk show.
In futility, police fired teargas at the unrelenting youth who were chanting "Bobi, Bobi, Bobi". A visibly emotional Kyagulanyi knelt atop of his car and bowed in appreciation of the seemingly surprising support from the area which has long been considered a ruling party stronghold.
The officers directed Kyagulanyi to head to Soroti town where he's scheduled to hold another rally today. Kyagulanyi, who is popularly known by his musical stage name as Bobi Wine, noted that the police were being used by the incumbent President Yoweri Museveni to frustrate the opposition.
He also said he wasn't surprised by the police actions, which always favour the incumbent. Kyagulanyi also faulted the Electoral Commission for being timid in addressing the issue of a balanced playing ground for all candidates and doubted its capacity to deliver free and fair elections.
Paul Okumu and Mike Ebiru who were heading to Tororo and Soroti respectively expressed their frustration over the barricade. Another female passenger, who declined to give her name, decried the conduct of the police targeting opposition candidates. In Moroto, all the streets were covered by military and police presence on Friday.
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