Security forces seal off NUP headquarters

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Security operatives, including military personnel from the Uganda People's Defence Force (UPDF) and police officers in the Field Force Unit (FFU) uniform, cordoned off the National Unity Platform (NUP) party offices on Monday, April 28.

The party headquarters in Makerere Kavule, Kampala, became a no-go zone for party loyalists as heavily armed security personnel sealed off the venue, preventing any staff from accessing the office.

When New Vision visited the scene, a heavy security presence was observed at the party headquarters, with the offices locked and the area surrounded by security operatives, their vehicles parked nearby.

Security officers guarding National Unity Platform party headquarters in Makerere Kavule, Kampala on April 28, 2025. (Photo by Francis Emorut)

The development at the NUP headquarters followed the party's announcement regarding the planned launch of a "youth protest vote" event at Makerere Kavule, scheduled for Monday, April 28, 2025, during their weekly press conference.

Security forces stationed at the party headquarters moved in to block the launch, claiming the party officials had not obtained clearance from the Uganda Police Force or other relevant authorities.

“The Uganda Police Force has come across an announcement regarding the planned launch of the youth protest vote, scheduled for Monday, 28 April 2025, at the National Unity Platform headquarters. The UPF hereby notifies the organisers and all concerned parties that the proposed launch, along with any associated activities, will not be permitted,” the police statement reads in part.

The police also cautioned individuals and groups against participating in or facilitating any activities related to the launch.

“This decision has been made in the interest of maintaining public order. We urge all parties to comply with this directive,” the police added.

During Monday's weekly police briefing, spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke stated: “In the interest of public order, the Uganda Police Force has decided not to allow the youth protest vote launch to take place.”

Rusoke urged all political parties to engage with the Police Force and seek proper clearance before organising public events.

Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LOP) and NUP spokesperson, Joel Senyonyi, criticised the security forces for allegedly abducting NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi's chief civilian bodyguard, Edward Ssebufu, commonly known as Eddie Mutwe.

“He (Eddie Mutwe) was abducted from Mukono by armed men and taken in a drone,’” Senyonyi claimed.

Senyonyi added that the breakdown of the rule of law in Uganda should concern all right-thinking citizens.

NUP secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya and Senyonyi were unavailable for comment when contacted regarding the deployment on their premises by security operatives.

Security officers guarding National Unity Platform party headquarters in Makerere Kavule, Kampala on April 28, 2025. (Photo by Francis Emorut)

However, Kyagulanyi on Sunday took to X, formerly Twitter, saying, "The partisan regime police is moving to block our weekly press conference slated for tomorrow (Monday), at which we had planned to launch our mobilisation for the forthcoming youth elections. We condemn and protest these double standards in the strongest terms possible, and call upon all Ugandans to firmly resist them." 

This is not the first time security forces have blocked NUP activities, often citing traffic disruption, particularly during the party’s national mobilisation tours.

The police have also accused NUP activists of failing to seek proper clearance from relevant authorities, sometimes leading to confrontations with uniformed officers.

It remains unclear when the security forces currently stationed at the party headquarters will allow NUP supporters to access their offices.