NUP supporters injured as police raid party headquarters ahead of delegates’ conference

For the third time this year, the police and other security agencies have raided the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters in Kavule, Kampala, ahead of their delegates’ conference, which is scheduled for tomorrow (June 11).

At about 3 pm on Tuesday, as party members returned forms expressing their interest in various positions ahead of the coming 2026 general election, the police that was driving behind one of the vehicles of an aspirant broke through the gates of the headquarters and started firing bullets in the air.

The spokesperson of Kampala Metropolitan Police, Mr Patrick Onyango, said that he was not aware of the incident.   
“I have not yet received that report, and when I do, I will revert. I am not even sure where that particular one happened,” Mr Onyango said in a short telephone conversation before he hung up.

READ: NUP under security siege, more supporters 'abducted' - party leaders

Mr David Lewis Rubongoya, the opposition party’s Secretary General, said, “ We are not sure why we have been attacked again because can you imagine that they said that the car which the aspirant was driving in looks like the one Gen Museveni always uses when inspecting the guard of honour? We wonder why we would always be attacked, especially ahead of our party activities.”  

Days later, President Museveni’s son, who acts as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said through his X platform that, “I entered Kabobi’s office the other day only to find weed and condoms…Now I’m going to his home! If anyone tries to fight we will KILL!”

Mr Kyagulanyi said Tuesday evening that some of their supporters had been injured in the fracas.
“The military and police just raided the NUP Headquarters and fired bullets. Several comrades have been injured and others arrested. No explanation has been given for this crime,” he posted on his X platform. 

Ms Sarry Nakato, one of the aspirants in a mayoral race in Masajja division, said, “This activity has been happening and I came this morning together with other comrades. Unfortunately, this matter is being taken as a security threat in this country. We hope that we can be given the chance to speak to our people freely and address some of their issues.”

In February this year, security forces raided the opposition party's offices after supporters staged a parade in honour of their president, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, who was celebrating his birthday.
NUP leaders said in the aftermath of the raid that they had lost properties and cash worth millions, with doors, windows and cameras vandalised by security operatives.

The party will tomorrow (June 11) hold an extraordinary meeting where different leaders will be elected to steer the biggest opposition party in the country through another five-year term.  

Some of the positions that will be elected for include party president and his deputies, secretary general, national treasurer and the spokesperson and the deputy.
Sources within the party who said that they are not authorized to speak to the media said that most of the positions are unopposed, including the party president.

“Those positions that people failed to harmonise are the ones that have been referred to the delegates conference tomorrow, otherwise, most of these positions are unopposed,” the source said.