Written By |
National Unity Platform (NUP) Party President Robert Kyagulanyi. Courtesy Photo
Search
The deputy police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, has revealed the reason why various security operatives stormed and searched the old National Unity Platform (NUP) head offices.
During a phone interview, Owoyesigyire confirmed the search of the Kamwokya-based NUP offices yesterday.
“We did not raid the NUP offices. We had a search warrant to go to the different places where we suspected they were harbouring or keeping the military attire. We showed the team that we had found at the gate a search warrant, and they opened for us to enter. We did not force ourselves into the premises,” Owoyesigyire said.
He revealed that the search was conducted in the presence of the local council leaders and NUP officials responsible for the premises, adding that there were no arrests made at the premises.
“We did not arrest anyone. We had come basically to search because we suspected replica military fatigue in the place,” Owoyesigyire said, adding that the other place that was raided was along Kampala-Gayaza Road.
However, while addressing the media at Makerere-Kavule NUP-based offices, Robert Kyagulanyi, the party president, accused security operatives of raiding their offices and arresting a number of the party members.
“Many of you have seen what has happened to our old party head offices that we were transforming into a leadership school. Security operatives have raided it. We do not know what they took from our offices, but we have been notified that several members of NUP have been arrested," Kyagulanyi said.
He noted that, as the leading opposition political party in the country, they are not shocked by the incessant raids and arrests by security operatives.
“The day you will see the government halt torturing members of the opposition, that means they are comfortable,” Kyagulanyi said.
He said that in most cases, the leaders are being gagged, yet the issues they address concern everyone. Kyagulanyi said it is high time for all Ugandans to stand up as one and demand answers for all the pressing matters in the country.
Membership registration
He appealed to all party leaders to urge all NUP supporters to get party cards, adding that if the cards get finished, they will print more party cards.
“Let us strengthen the political party that we have so that we make it a worthy replacement for this dictatorship,” Kyagulanyi said, adding that while conducting the exercise, they should be more organized, and if any political vacancy arises, take it up.
“There is no ring fencing in NUP; when the time comes for choosing party leaders, do not fear contesting against me as the party president of NUP,” Kyagulanyi said.
Last month, NUP launched its membership registration update exercise, which commenced on May 1st and is expected to end by May 31st.
Sanctions against Among, two ex-ministers
Addressing the same audience, Kyagulanyi welcomed the sanctions against the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, and two ex-ministers.
“I am happy that the businesses and bank accounts of the speaker were frozen. When we get into power, that will be Ugandan property," he said.
Previous raids
On Independence Day last year, the military and the police stopped National Unity Platform-NUP supporters and their leaders from converging at their headquarters for a press conference and national prayers for those allegedly killed, arrested and kidnapped in the three years of the party’s existence.
NUP party President Robert Kyagulanyi was set to be the chief celebrant. However, following the raid, over 40 arrests were made. Notable among them NUP Secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya, Spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi and Fred Nyanzi, the Secretary for mobilization.
In January 2024, the National Unity Platform (NUP) has reported that a group of armed men, traveling in approximately six police and military trucks, surrounded their offices in Kavule. However, the armed men were unable to gain entry as the main gate was locked.
NUP Secretary General David Rubongoya said government is using arrests, detentions, and abductions to break their resolve to oppose them.
