KAMPALA, Uganda — Motorists were left stranded in hours-long traffic on the Mpigi–Kampala Highway after President Yoweri Museveni halted movement and sat in the middle of the road to address residents during a campaign stop.
Images and videos shared widely on social media show the president seated on the tarmac as supporters gathered around him, forcing vehicles to stop along one of the busiest routes linking Kampala to western Uganda.
The impromptu address caused a significant traffic jam, with commuters reporting long delays.
Witnesses said security personnel blocked sections of the highway to allow the president to speak, bringing traffic to a complete standstill. The incident occurred as Museveni continues countrywide engagements ahead of Uganda’s upcoming general election.
The move drew mixed reactions online, with supporters praising the president’s willingness to engage directly with citizens, while critics questioned the disruption to public transport and economic activity on a major national highway.
“This is a key road for trade and daily commuting. Shutting it down for a political address affects thousands of people,” one Kampala-based motorist said.
Uganda has previously seen heavy security deployments and traffic disruptions during presidential movements, particularly in election periods.
Authorities have not issued an official statement explaining the decision to stop traffic on the Mpigi–Kampala Highway during the campaign stop.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of campaign practices and the use of state power during election periods, with opposition groups and civil society organisations calling for respect for public order and equal treatment of all road users.
As campaigning intensifies, observers say how authorities balance political mobilisation with public convenience and safety will remain a key issue for voters and election monitors alike.
