KAMPALA, Uganda — Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has sharply criticised President Yoweri Museveni after motorists were trapped for hours on the Kampala–Masaka Road following a campaign stop that brought traffic to a standstill in Mpigi.
In a statement posted on social media, Bobi Wine said some travellers spent the night on the highway, with a journey that normally takes about two hours stretching to nearly 20 hours due to prolonged road closures.
“Pole sana to all citizens who spent the night on Kampala–Masaka Road and those who are still stuck,” Bobi Wine said. “Why? Because Dictator Museveni blocked sections of the road for hours as he campaigned in Mpigi and, at some point, decided to sit in the middle of the road while addressing people.”
Videos circulating on social media show President Museveni seated on the tarmac surrounded by supporters, as security personnel blocked traffic on the busy highway linking Kampala to western and southern Uganda. The route is a key economic corridor, heavily used by commuters, traders and long-distance transporters.
Bobi Wine said the disruption illustrated the broader consequences of poor governance, warning that such actions endanger lives and livelihoods.
“Imagine those who are stuck with patients, trying to run them to hospitals,” he said. “Nobody should have the right to inconvenience citizens in this manner.”
The National Unity Platform (NUP) leader framed the incident as a symbol of what he described as abuse of power during election campaigns, arguing that leaders should prioritise public welfare over political mobilisation.
“It all begins by having leaders who understand that they are servants,” Bobi Wine said. “Leaders who view the people as citizens and not slaves.”
The incident has triggered widespread debate in Uganda, with critics questioning the use of state security and public infrastructure for campaign activities, while supporters of the president defended the stop as direct engagement with citizens.
Uganda has a history of heavy traffic disruptions during presidential movements, particularly in election periods. However, the scale and duration of the Mpigi incident have intensified scrutiny, especially as the country heads into a highly contested general election.
Authorities had not issued an official explanation for the prolonged road blockage by the time of publication.
