Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Reports have emerged of the arrest of top officials from Uganda’s National Unity Platform (NUP) by security officers. Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, stated that police on Monday 9, October 2023 morning raided their party headquarters and detained the secretary general, David Rubongoya, and spokesperson, Joel Ssenyonyi.
In a tweet, Kyagulanyi expressed his concern, stating, “After raiding our headquarters to prevent us from addressing the country on Uganda’s 61st ‘independence’ day, police and the military have proceeded to arrest party leaders and supporters.”
He further revealed that the arrested leaders, along with several supporters, were being held at Kira Road and other police stations in the city. Kyagulanyi emphasized the need to resist what he called “impunity.”
This incident follows the recent arrest of Kyagulanyi himself, who was taken into custody just days ago upon his return from a trip to South Africa, immediately after landing at Entebbe International Airport. Initially, reports suggested he had been taken to an undisclosed location, but the police later clarified that they had escorted him to his home in Magere, dismissing rumors of his arrest.
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These arrests occurred while President Yoweri Museveni presided over Uganda’s national Independence Day celebration at Kololo Ceremonial grounds. Uganda gained its sovereignty in 1962 after 70 years under British control.
Kyagulanyi, a vocal critic of President Museveni, is gearing up for another attempt to challenge Museveni in the upcoming presidential elections, scheduled to be held between January 12 and February 9, 2026. As part of his campaign strategy, he has initiated a series of mobilization tours across the country and plans to open new offices for the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, under whose banner he is expected to run for the presidency.
The mobilization tours commenced on August 28 and are set to run until September 13, covering 10 districts. Kyagulanyi emphasized, “We shall go out to address our people physically and through media outlets, and officially open our offices.” These tours were launched following a two-day retreat of the National Executive Committee of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party.
