The National Unity Platform (NUP) has condemned security forces for sealing off its headquarters in Makerere on Monday, a move that disrupted the scheduled launch of its youth mobilization drive.
The campaign, called Youth Protest Vote, was designed to inspire greater political participation among young Ugandans ahead of upcoming elections. NUP officials emphasized that the initiative was intended to be peaceful and non-confrontational.
However, in a statement released earlier that day, police announced that the event would not be permitted to take place.
“The police have taken note of an announcement regarding the planned launch of the Youth Protest Vote, scheduled for Monday, April 28, 2025, at NUP headquarters. The police hereby notify the organizers and all concerned parties that the proposed launch and any associated activities will not be permitted,” the statement read.
Speaking to the press, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke defended the decision, citing concerns about public order.
“The police disagree with the NUP’s Youth Protest Vote campaign, and due to this disagreement, we have decided not to allow it to happen in the interest of public order. That’s our position. There are always channels for engagement between political groups and the security agencies,” he said.
But opposition leaders rejected the justification, arguing that the police were overstepping their legal bounds. Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, criticized the authorities for stifling a lawful activity by a registered political party.
“This was simply a youth mobilization campaign, aligned with the Electoral Commission’s official roadmap. Nothing illegal,” said Ssenyonyi.
“It’s disturbing that the police continue to misinterpret the Public Order Management Act, especially when internal party meetings like this one don’t require prior notification.”
Kawempe Division Mayor Emmanuel Sserunjogi, who was among those blocked from attending the event, called on the Electoral Commission to clarify why NUP was being obstructed from carrying out its legitimate activities. He accused the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) of using state security agencies to clamp down on dissent.
This latest standoff adds to a pattern of tense encounters between NUP and law enforcement, with several past events—including rallies, meetings, and public processions—also disrupted under claims of preserving public order.
