By KT Reporter
Police held Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nandala Mafabi’s convoy for more than an hour after his nomination, blocking supporters from joining the procession. Mafabi left the Electoral Commission after receiving his nomination papers and headed toward Kampala Road Playground in Nakawa Division, where his team had planned a post-nomination rally.
His team attempted to exit through the Munyonyo Bypass and demanded that supporters, earlier barred from the nomination grounds, be allowed to join the convoy. Police blocked several vehicles carrying those supporters, prompting Mafabi’s team to halt near the junction. FDC president Patrick Amuriat, Soroti West MP Jonathan Ebwalu, and National Mobilization Secretary Ajuna Daka confronted the officers.
“We will not leave our people behind,” Ebwalu said. “You blocked them earlier. We will not abandon them again.” Amuriat backed him, insisting the convoy would not move without their supporters. The standoff lasted nearly an hour as traffic clogged in both directions. Boda boda riders, vendors, and residents crowded the roadside, horns blared, and police struggled to ease the jam.
Some onlookers waved at Mafabi, who stood through the roof of his vehicle flashing the FDC peace sign. Tension spiked when a female police commander shouted “stupid” at FDC leaders, prompting Ebwalu to exchange words until another officer pulled her aside.
Police eventually allowed the blocked vehicles to merge but ordered a different route. The motorcade moved under escort through the Munyonyo–Kajansi stretch. At Kajansi, a police truck blocked their turn onto Entebbe Road, forcing the convoy onto the Expressway.
Officers continued to direct traffic, closing feeder roads and keeping the convoy on selected ramps. Near Sentema Bypass, Mafabi’s supporters crossed paths with a large crowd of NUP supporters escorting their flag bearer, Robert Kyagulanyi. For a moment, Mafabi’s convoy fell silent as the groups passed each other. Although organizers had scheduled the rally to begin at 11 a.m., by 1:30 p.m., the convoy had not yet reached the venue.
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