Police Seal Off NUP Headquarters

Uganda Police have cordoned off the National Unity Platform (NUP) offices in Makerere Kavule ahead of a party conference.

The police deployment was noticed on Sunday night and increased until morning. NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, confirmed these developments through his Twitter account. Kyagulanyi called the police actions “cowardly” and warned them against infringing on their rights.

According to Kyagulanyi, the state is so afraid of his party’s message that they block all their activities. Bobi Wine and his party leadership have just concluded a one-week tour of Western Uganda that was marred by police violence. The Kavule faithful were blocked from accessing venues they had booked in Isingiro and Bundibugyo districts.

As is the norm, NUP usually holds press conferences every Monday to update the media about their activities. By press time, we would ascertain what was so special about this week’s edition. However, you should note that police commanders in the country have been put on alert following plans for activists to march to Parliament on July 23rd, tomorrow.

This march is a protest against what the activists say is excessive corruption at Parliament. The activists have categorically clarified that theirs is not politically affiliated. Last week, Bobi Wine encouraged the youth to join the march but warned them against attaching the cause to any political party. By press time, a number of NUP leaders had made their way to Kavule. However, they had been denied access to the party headquarters.

NUP Leaders Disappointed in Police

Speaking to journalists, some of the leaders castigated the police’s deployment but expressed their resolve to proceed with their activities. Mawogola County MP Gorreth Namugga said that the party will go on with their press conference and not bow to this police intimidation.

“Since when did they become the askaris of this place [NUP headquarters]? We cannot do anything. We cannot enter our offices. They [police] are now saying we are not allowed to even stand by the roadside. We have come for our press conference and shall attend it come what may.” Goreth Namugga, MP.

Similarly, Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake warned the police against provoking them into violence. According to Zaake, the police should have written to them instead of just deploying at their offices. By press time, Honourable Zaake’s car had been towed away by police. Additionally, a number of NUP supporters had been bundled into police vehicles.