Kampala, (UG):- The Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) President, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine, has condemned the security siege at the party’s headquarters in Makerere Kavule and its leadership institute in Kamwokya, describing the operation as an attack on democracy.
The joint security operation, which began Friday, February 21, extended into Saturday, February 22, with security operatives searching the premises and reportedly confiscating various items linked to the alleged military training by the opposition party.
“Yesterday, February 21, 2025, a joint security force conducted an operation involving searches at the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters in Kavule and their premises in Kamwokya, Kampala City. The search activities were completed as follows: the Kamwokya location was finished on February 21, while the search at the NUP headquarters in Kavule concluded today, February 22 afternoon,” Police Spokesperson ACP Rusoke Kituuma stated in an update on Saturday afternoon.
“The Uganda Police Force reports that several exhibits were recovered from these premises and will be used as evidence. Further updates regarding this operation will be provided as necessary,” he added.
Bobi Wine Speaks Out
Reacting to the operation, Bobi Wine accused security forces of looting and planting evidence at NUP premises. “Our leaders went to check on our premises at Kamwokya and Kavule after the criminals left. We’re still assessing the extent of damage, but we can confirm that they stole many things, including computers, valuable documents, money, hundreds of t-shirts, and other branded materials,” the former presidential candidate posted on his official X account.
Mr Wine further vowed to take legal and political action, asserting that the raid was meant to cripple the party ahead of the 2026 elections. “We shall definitely take action against this criminality!”
Claims of Foreign Operatives and Restricted Access
Earlier on Saturday, Bobi Wine raised concerns about the presence of individuals of East-Asian descent among the security personnel conducting the search. “Neighbors at Kavule tell us that some of the operatives currently inside our offices seem to be foreigners of East-Asian descent. WHAT ARE THEY PLANTING IN OUR OFFICES?” he questioned.
Additionally, he said “Journalists have been blocked from coming close to the NUP Headquarters where criminals on Museveni’s orders are still conducting illegal operations. What are they hiding?”
Security Allegations of Military Training
The Friday-Saturday security raid followed allegations that NUP has been engaged in mobilization activities linked to unlawful demonstrations and military-style training.
But Bobi Wine has dismissed these claims, saying the government is fabricating accusations to justify its crackdown on the opposition. He also raised a concern about the deployed security operatives at the NUP offices who are hiding their faces in masks for fear of being noticed by the public.
“If these criminals believe that what they do is right and proper, why do they cover their faces? The explanation can be only one: they are fully aware that they’re being commanded to commit crimes against the people and that the time to account will come,” he posted.
The siege on NUP offices is part of a broader crackdown on the party. Several NUP officials and supporters have been arrested in recent weeks, including Mercy Walukamba, the party’s Election Management Committee chairperson, who was interrogated about the party’s 2026 election strategies before being released.
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