The National Unity Platform (NUP) has vowed to defy Kayunga resident district commissioner Ssempala Kigozi’s decision to bar party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu from campaigning in Kayunga for Harriet Nakweede.

Kyagulanyi is expected to join Nakweede at her final Kayunga LC V by-election campaign rally. Despite the fact that the open campaigns are set to end tomorrow, Tuesday, Kigozi has informed Nakweede that the district security committee has decided to halt her final campaign rally if she invites Kyagulanyi.

The level of security and state interest in such a district election seat has never been seen before. Kigozi stated that while Kyagulanyi was expected in Kayunga last week, he will not be able to visit this week due to the presence of President Yoweri Museveni.

The president is scheduled to visit Kayunga this week to rally support for the ruling party’s candidate, Andrew Muwonge, as well as meet with district party leaders and the security committee ahead of the December 16 by-elections.

The RDC’s ‘orders,’ according to Nakweede, contradict the harmonized campaign program agreed upon with the Electoral Commission. She claims that it is unjust to allow Museveni to canvass support for her NRM rival while barring Kyagulanyi from doing the same for her.

Nakweede’s final campaign rally is scheduled for Kayunga town council, while the NRM candidate is scheduled to campaign in Kayonza sub-county.

On Sunday, Shamim Malende, the Kampala Woman MP and special campaigner for Nakweede, described the RDC directive as a sign of cowardice and low self-esteem. She does, however, note that regardless of whether Kyagulanyi campaigns in Kayunga or not, people have already embraced change.

“They know he’s a strong man and that people love him, and they see that people are already showing their support even before Kyagulanyi arrives…they’re just trying to stand up for his rights, but we’re saying come rain or come shine. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu will be in Kayunga because he, like any other individual, has the right to canvass votes for any candidate of his choice “According to Malende.

Ssempala insists that they informed Nakweede early enough that Kyagulanyi would not be allowed to campaign on the final day and advised her to invite him on another day, but she ignored their advice.

“In fact, we agreed that Kyagulanyi should come on days other than Sunday.” “We don’t want him even if it’s Monday and Tuesday, because the president will be moving around meeting with various groups of people,” Ssempala said.