NUP under security siege, more supporters 'abducted' - party leaders
National Unity Platform (NUP) secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya (L) and the party president Robert Kyagulanyi (C) chat with the party mobilization chief, Fred Nyanzi (R) following his release on February 21, 2025 after four-day detention. PHOTO/ MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
What you need to know:
- Bobi Wine said several of the party officials and supporters have been picked by security operatives under unclear circumstances
Police and the military on Friday, February 21 raided the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters in Makerere Kavule, Kampala over reports of unauthorized military drills.
However, the opposition party leadership accused security operatives of “abducting” their supporters and senior officials with unknown motive.
Heavily armed military police, Joint Anti-Terrorism Track Unit (JATT) operatives and regular police officers were seen deployed in and around the premises of the party office with detention vans, mostly Toyota Hiace vehicles, notoriously referred to as drones staged at the party office gate and in the neighborhood.
"Museveni’s criminals have just broken into our offices at Kavule after blocking off all roads leading there. They have also raided our School of Leadership at Kamwokya. Cowards!" NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi said in an X post hours after saying he had seen "strange men" patrolling his home.
Journalists and road users were denied access to roads near the party offices as security operatives staged several road blocks.
"Whatever happens to me, Museveni and his son are responsible. From yesterday, our home is being patrolled by strange men in civilian clothes who appear to be armed. We have information that they're after my life - as threatened by Museveni’s son a few days ago. They have gone ahead to trail and abduct many of our comrades, including part of my security team. Right now, they're raiding our Party headquarters. We expect anything from the cowardly regime. But we are not intimidated," Mr Kyagulanyi said in another X post.
According to Mr Kyagulanyi, several of his party supporters and senior officials have since last week been picked by security operatives and allegedly detained at Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI) in Mbuya, Kampala in what he described as renewed “abductions.”
One of them is his elder brother, Fred Nyanzi, the party mobilisation who was reportedly dumped near his home this afternoon after spending four days in security detention.
Two of the four NUP electoral management committee members who were allegedly picked by security operatives in Mpigi District on their way from a burial ceremony early this week are also still missing. The missing officials are Alex Lovans Lwanyaga and Eddie Kayabula while Mercy Walukamba, the chairperson of the Committee and Rahmah Juma Lubowa, a member of the committee were released on Thursday after spending two days in the hands of security.
"Comrades Achileo Kivumbi and Wakabi Smart who were abducted last night have been seen at Nansana police in a van with heavily armed security operatives! They are still under captivity. Meanwhile, comrade Gaddafi who was abducted this morning is still missing," Mr Kyagulanyi who challenged President Museveni in the 2021 general election said.
In a statement, police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Rusoke Kituuma said the operation followed reports of unauthorized military drills at the NUP headquarters in Kavule and their premises in Kamwokya in Kampala.
"....in collaboration with other security agencies, police has mounted a coordinated security operation. Our security personnel are currently conducting searches at the mentioned locations. Further updates on the outcomes of the operation will be provided in due course," ACP Rusoke said.
This comes days after Mr Kyagulanyi was filmed inspecting a parade staged by his supporters at the party offices as part of his 42nd birthday celebrations on February 12.
Relatedly, the party secretary general, David Lewis Rubongoya said 40 elders from Teso Sub-region who visited NUP offices and the party leader had been detained by police.
"Unbelievable! 40 elders from Teso Sub-region who came to visit
NUP offices and our leader Bobi wine have been arrested and are being detained at Wandegeya Police. As soon as they got into their bus to return home, the military surrounded them, took them away, and ordered them not to pick any phone call. After failing to trace them for several hours, it turned out they had been abducted before being dropped at police," Mr Rubongoya said.
