People Power has denied any involvement in the stoning, and it came into question whether Museveni was still in Arua at the time of the alleged harassment. While still denying any involvement with the incident, Kyagulanyi claims his driver in Arua was shot and killed by NRM security forces set out to capture Kyagulanyi himself, as he was arrested in a raid of his hotel soon after. Human Rights Watch released a full statement after the events of the Arua election, discussing the implications of mass public arrests of opposition lawmakers and journalists. Kyagulanyi spoke of the human rights abuse against himself and his co-defendants while jailed, and was allowed to seek treatment on bail in the United States, where he spent time recovering and speaking to the international press about his concerns for Uganda. His lawyer sought action from the United States, drawing attention to the Ugandan government's reliance on Washington:  "We call upon the U.S. to immediately suspend military funding to Uganda and launch an investigation into the use of military equipment to torture Ugandans." Museveni has publicly attacked Kyagulanyi's plans and calls for change in Uganda, referring to him only as a "weed-smoking hooligan" from the slums of Kampala. As Kyagulanyi returned from the United States with plans to mobilize People Power immediately, NRM security forces prepared for the events. After thousands of extra forces were deployed across the country, especially in Kyagulanyi's municipality, four of his concerts were cancelled by the government.