Kampala, (UG):- Police have indefinitely suspended the ongoing countrywide mobilization tours organized by the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), citing repeated violations of agreed-upon guidelines and traffic regulations.
In a letter addressed to the NUP Secretary-General David Lewis Rubongoya on Friday, Uganda police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke explained that despite several meetings held with the NUP to establish rules governing their tours, the latter has continuously breached them.
He highlighted incidents from the November 14 tour in Buikwe District, where processions reportedly disrupted traffic and violated road safety regulations.
“As mandated by law, to preserve public order, the UPF halts the NUP countrywide mobilization tours until such a time when the rule of law can be respected,” ACP Kituuma wrote on behalf of the Inspector General of Police.
“This has come as a result of the failure and/or neglect by NUP to adhere to the mutually agreed-upon guidelines, traffic regulations, and public order,” the police statement added.
However, when contacted, the NUP Secretary General, Mr David Lewis Rubongoya said the halt is a deliberate move by police to stop them from mobilizing support. He also accused police of double standards.
“Each time our activities gain momentum, they must come up with any reason to stop them, while other political actors, especially those linked to the regime, continue to do their activities, including processions, unhindered. We condemn these double standards in the strongest terms,” he said, emphasizing that NUP has laboured to adhere to ‘whatever guidelines they set, even those we considered very unfair.’
The Police decision to suspend NUP tours is expected to spark debate among political observers and NUP supporters, many of whom are likely to view the move as a crackdown on opposition activities.
The development also comes at a critical time when NUP, viewed as the largest opposition party in the country continues its efforts to mobilize grassroots support across the country, ahead of key political activities expected in the forthcoming 2026 elections.
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: [email protected] Or join the Daily Express WhatsApp channel for all the latest news and trends or join the Telegram Channel for the latest updates.
