Tension gripped Pallisa Town on Saturday afternoon after police arrested Mubarak Munyagwa, the presidential candidate for the Common Man’s Party, following a heated exchange with security officers.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred near Pallisa Central Market when Munyagwa, who was on a campaign tour in eastern Uganda, attempted to stop and eat at a local restaurant.
Police officers on duty reportedly blocked him, citing the need to maintain order and prevent congestion in the busy trading area.
A standoff ensued when Munyagwa insisted on entering the restaurant despite repeated warnings from the officers.
The confrontation quickly attracted crowds of onlookers, prompting police to intervene and whisk him away to Pallisa Central Police Station.
“We advised Mr. Munyagwa to continue with his convoy and avoid unnecessary stopovers that could disrupt business and traffic flow,” said a police source who preferred anonymity. “However, he refused to comply and instead became confrontational.”
Moments before his arrest, Munyagwa was also reportedly stopped from accessing the Kalaki Primary School, a route his team had planned to use for his next campaign meeting.
Police directed him to use the Gogonyo road instead, arguing that the school area had ongoing activities that could be disrupted by political gatherings.
Supporters of the Common Man’s Party condemned the arrest, accusing police of political persecution and selective enforcement of public order regulations.
“Munyagwa was simply taking a meal break like any Ugandan. Arresting him for that is harassment,” said one supporter at the scene.
By press time, police had not issued an official statement regarding the charges or whether the candidate would be released soon.
Munyagwa, known for his outspoken and often dramatic political style, has been traversing eastern Uganda in recent days, rallying support for what he calls a “revolution for the common man” ahead of the 2026 general elections.
More details are expected as the story develops.
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Look at that unnecessary drama, what the work of police? Why not secure the restaurant area and guard him until his feeding is done and he is escorted out of the so called crowded place? Should presidential candidates eat from the bush or national park where there are no people? Police give Ugandans a break! Arresting a customer at agazzetted eating place is not only unjustice but criminal in itself. Guide the eating process and let him proceed afterwards.
Good point. The Police have no community policing skills at all.
The story makes our country a laughing stock to the free world. Please Police love your country stop tarnishing the image of Uganda here and abroad.
Look at that unnecessary drama, what’s the work of police this country? Why not secure the restaurant area and guard him until his feeding time is done and he is escorted out of the so called crowded place? Should presidential candidates eat from the bush or national park where there are no people? Police give Ugandans a break! Arresting a customer at a known eating place selling food is not only unjust but criminal in itself. Guide the eating process and let him proceed afterwards. Very simple!