Ali Bukeni, popularly known as Nubian Li, was arrested shortly after being nominated to run for the Nakawa mayoral seat under the National Unity Platform (NUP), party officials have confirmed.
Nubian Li, a longtime music partner and close political ally of NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, has been actively involved in both the creative and political arms of the opposition party for nearly two decades.
According to NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, Nubian Li was apprehended immediately after his nomination outside the Electoral Commission offices.
“He is the latest victim in a growing wave of arrests and abductions targeting NUP leaders and supporters,” Rubongoya stated. “He was picked up right outside the EC offices, an indication of how the impunity continues.”
Comrade @NubianBukenAli is the latest victim of the latest wave of arrests and abductions of @NUP_Ug leaders and supporters. He's been picked up outside the EC offices, right after his nomination. The impunity continues😡😡😡 pic.twitter.com/pTbrfNPJ6w
— David Lewis Rubongoya (@DavidLRubongoya) September 9, 2025
Leader of Opposition in Parliament and Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi also weighed in on the incident, confirming that Nubian Li was “pushed into a police truck and taken to an unknown location.”
“The fear of the regime is evident. Let’s press on!” Ssenyonyi wrote.
The arrest comes amid escalating crackdowns on members of the NUP. Just yesterday, the party’s deputy spokesperson was abducted under similar unclear circumstances, further fueling concerns over politically motivated repression.
As of now, the whereabouts of Nubian Li remain unknown.
A short while ago as he exited the Electoral Commission offices in Ntinda after being nominated for the position of Nakawa Mayor, Ali Buken (Nubian Li) was pushed into a police truck and taken to an unknown location.
The fear of the regime is evident, let’s press on! pic.twitter.com/p8eB2gnH3Y— Joel Ssenyonyi (@JoelSsenyonyi) September 9, 2025
