Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, was forced to turn back on Tuesday after floods washed away the main road connecting to Otuke District in northern Uganda. The National Unity Platform (NUP) leader had been scheduled to hold campaign rallies in Alebtong and Otuke as part of his continued tour across the Lango sub-region, but heavy rains made the journey impossible.
The road connecting to Otuke district is submerged and impassable!#ANewUgandaNow pic.twitter.com/c2FpKSaurI
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) October 28, 2025
According to reports from his campaign team, the road leading to Otuke was completely submerged after several days of rainfall, making it impassable for vehicles and pedestrians. The incident disrupted his campaign schedule and left his supporters in the affected districts disappointed. Bobi Wine took to his official social media account to share the situation, posting, “The road connecting to Otuke District is submerged and impassable!” The message quickly spread across the country, drawing attention to the poor condition of infrastructure in many parts of northern Uganda.
Speaking to supporters earlier in Alebtong, Bobi Wine expressed deep concern about the government’s continued neglect of the region. He said that the poor state of roads, schools, and health facilities is a clear sign that the current leadership has failed to care for its citizens. He noted that the problem of bad roads has kept many people in poverty for decades, making it hard for farmers to transport their goods to markets and for patients to access hospitals.
“The poor road networks and conditions in northern Uganda show how the government has failed its people,” Bobi Wine said. “Because of these roads, people remain poor. Their goods cannot reach market centers, and the cycle of suffering continues.” He went on to accuse the government of corruption and bribery, saying that officials continue to enrich themselves while the majority of Ugandans live without basic services.
Residents of Otuke and surrounding districts have also complained that their communities are often forgotten by those in power. Many say they have raised the issue of poor roads with their leaders for years but have seen no change. During rainy seasons, most parts of the region become cut off from trading centers and health facilities. Farmers lose their produce because trucks cannot reach the villages, while children are forced to miss school due to impassable roads.
The flooding incident has again exposed the deep inequalities between different parts of Uganda. While some regions enjoy modern tarmac roads and improved infrastructure, others like Otuke, Alebtong, and Amolatar still depend on dusty, narrow, and poorly maintained roads that turn into rivers when it rains. Local leaders say the lack of investment in the north has kept the region economically weak, with many people depending on subsistence farming and facing recurring food shortages.
Bobi Wine said that the floods are not just a natural disaster but also a reflection of government failure. He blamed the authorities for not planning properly and not building reliable drainage systems or durable roads. “This is the bribery and corruption I have been talking about,” he said. “The government has failed to deliver social services to the people—both health services and other essential needs. People are attacked by diseases because of poor environments, no medicine, and no hospitals. The government doesn’t care for its people.”
Despite the setback, Bobi Wine said he remains determined to continue his campaign and spread his message of change. He called on Ugandans to unite and vote for a “New Uganda” that will prioritize development, equality, and accountability. He said his goal is to build a government that works for all Ugandans, regardless of region or background. “I am rallying the whole of Uganda to vote for change,” he said. “Let us build a new Uganda that caters for all people and raises their living standards.”
His supporters praised his courage and determination, saying his attempt to reach Otuke despite the floods shows his genuine concern for ordinary citizens. “It shows his heart for the people,” said a supporter in Alebtong. “Even when the road is bad, he tried to come. That means he cares. Other leaders only use helicopters to fly over our problems.” Another resident of Otuke said they have suffered for years because of poor infrastructure and hope that Bobi Wine’s message will bring lasting change. “Every rainy season, we suffer the same way,” she said. “The road is destroyed, bridges collapse, and no one comes to help us.”
UPDATE: @NUP_Ug presidential candidate @HEBobiwine fails to cross into Otuke District after floods washed away the main road in the area, forcing him to turn back. Kyagulanyi had been scheduled to hold campaign rallies in Alebtong and Otuke districts today, as he continues to… pic.twitter.com/kLWOi08YLM
— Daily Monitor (@DailyMonitor) October 28, 2025
Northern Uganda continues to face many challenges, including poor infrastructure, limited access to healthcare, and low investment in education. Although the region has great agricultural potential, the lack of proper transport networks has hindered development. Many analysts believe that addressing these issues will be crucial in improving livelihoods and reducing poverty.
Bobi Wine’s experience in Otuke has now become a powerful symbol of the everyday struggles faced by ordinary Ugandans. His campaign team has promised to reschedule the rally in the district once the road is repaired, assuring residents that they will not be forgotten.
As the 2026 general elections draw near, Bobi Wine’s campaign continues to gather momentum, especially among young people and communities that feel left behind. His message of unity, service, and integrity continues to resonate with millions who are seeking a new direction for the country.
We have concluded Alebtong and Otuke districts after a full day of driving through impassable submerged rural roads. It is a shame that the regime which has been at the helm of the country for four decades has failed to deliver on its obligations. This is what we have come to… pic.twitter.com/LhyiH77NKI
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) October 28, 2025
The incident in Otuke is a painful reminder of the challenges many Ugandans face daily—poor roads, lack of hospitals, and government neglect. But for Bobi Wine and his supporters, it is also a source of renewed motivation. “A New Uganda is possible,” he said. “Together, we shall rise.”