At least five supporters of the National Unity Platform were injured on Saturday after violent street gangs—reportedly backed by security personnel—attacked Robert Kyagulanyi’s campaign team in Gulu City, leaving several people hurt and property destroyed.
The chaos broke out as the presidential candidate, widely known as Bobi Wine, made his way into the city for a scheduled rally. Groups armed with sticks and other crude weapons stormed the venue area, damaging vehicles, sound equipment, and personal belongings before fleeing.
Among those injured was popular DJ and political figure Sir Dan Magic, who was left bleeding from the head after being struck during the confrontation. Witnesses said he was trapped between stick-wielding groups and heavily armed security officers as Bobi Wine struggled to reach him.
The violence reportedly began earlier at a junction near the Bank of Uganda branch, where the candidate’s convoy was intercepted by soldiers and police. As tensions grew, Bobi Wine abandoned the vehicles and walked nearly five kilometres into the city with supporters trailing behind.
Bobi Wine accused the security forces of fueling a broader campaign of intimidation to obstruct his mobilisation. He said the attackers had earlier vandalised his party’s Gulu office and returned on Saturday to disrupt the campaign trail.
He described the incidents as part of “a wider pattern of violence” targeting his team and claimed one of his campaign drivers had not regained consciousness by the time he issued his statement.
According to him, the attackers first ambushed the team as they approached the city, hurling sticks and stones. Several supporters were later hospitalised after being beaten at the rally venue.
Bobi Wine said the increasing hostility reflected fear among those in power, insisting that violence would not stop Ugandans from demanding change.
By press time, security agencies had not released any official response to the accusations.