By Dean Lubowa Saava
State House Entebbe, Uganda – The government is considering outlawing the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), citing growing concerns over the party’s alleged militarization and activities deemed a threat to national stability, according to high-ranking security sources.
The issue reportedly featured prominently during a recent UPDF High Command meeting chaired by President Museveni at State House, Entebbe.
Sources indicate that the security leadership expressed concern to the President about what they describe as NUP’s “radicalization of youth” and “intolerance” toward divergent political views.
In his remarks after the meeting, President Museveni emphasized the need to protect democratic space from intimidation.
“I emphasized the need for disciplined democracy in Uganda. The NRM advocates for disciplined democracy, not hooliganism or bad language,” Museveni said.
“Politicians engaging in practices that intimidate citizens must stop! This is not the African way. The security agencies have discussed this issue, and it will come to an end,” Museveni said.
He urged young people to embrace patriotism and the values of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), cautioning against being lured into violence under the guise of political activism.
The President’s comments come amid a wave of arrests targeting NUP supporters and officials, many of whom are facing serious criminal charges.
Other detained NUP members facing robbery charges include Achileo Kivumbi, Gaddafi Mugumya, and Smart Wakabi.
Authorities accuse the group of orchestrating violent incidents during public events, including the burial of former MP Muhammad Ssegirinya. NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi says such charges are politically motivated.
Officials say while some top government officials want NUP banned and its leadership jailed, some moderates say the party’s activities should be suspended for a year. Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, recently warned that NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, “might be next” following the arrest of Mutwe.
“I thank our venerable and heroic Commander-in-Chief, H.E Kaguta Museveni, for his wise guidance to the High Command and Defence Council. We will never allow hooligans and puppets to come anywhere near power,” said Muhoozi on X.
“We are going to SMASH them once and for all!”
In a further sign of the government’s hardening stance against opposition forces, former presidential candidate and main opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye is currently in Luzira Prison on treason charges.
The State alleged that Besigye and his colleagues were involved in acts that threatened the president’s life and national security, claims Besigye’s supporters say were untrue.
Precedent
Though there has been no official announcement of a ban on NUP, sources suggest a declaration under Section 56 (2) of the Penal Code—used previously to outlaw the Activists for Change (A4C) in 2012—is under active consideration.
Back then, the government accused A4C of inciting civil disobedience, prompting then-Attorney General Peter Nyombi to issue a Declaration of Unlawful Society. The then Police Chief Gen. Kale Kayihura defended the ban, citing violent incidents linked to the group’s activities.
“The police have an obligation to allow groups to exercise their rights and hold lawful rallies,” Kayihura said at the time.
“But many such events were infiltrated and turned violent by A4C.” NUP has denied allegations of militancy, insisting it is committed to peaceful, democratic change.
