NUP Leaders Detained Amid Heavy Police Presence as Party Marks 4th Anniversary
The National Unity Platform (NUP) issued a statement today regarding ongoing issues surrounding their 4th anniversary celebrations. The party was set to mark the occasion, celebrating its rebranding from the National Unity Reconciliation Party (NURP). However, the event was overshadowed by a heavy police and military presence around their headquarters.
The police did not provide any written justification for their actions, which included blocking the planned press conference. Several party leaders and members who attempted to enter the headquarters were reportedly arrested. Notable among those detained were Dr. Lina Zedriga Waru, the Deputy President for Northern Uganda; Mityana Municipality MP Zaake Francis; Baale County MP Charles Tebandeke; and Katikamu South MP Hassan Kirumira. Other members also faced arrest.
The police response was described as brutal, with various accounts of the arrests. MP Zaake was reportedly towed away in his vehicle to the Central Police Station (CPS), and his current condition remains unknown as his contacts have been unreachable. Dr. Zedriga was briefly detained after a scuffle and later released by Wandegeya District Police Commander Hassan Hiwumbire. MP Tebandeke was reportedly dragged into a security drone, while MP Kirumira was thrown into the back of a police truck.
Additionally, several supporters who were present at the besieged party office also faced detention by Joint Anti-Terrorism (JAT) units and the military. Despite these arrests, the police have not issued any formal statement justifying their actions.
Regarding the March 2 Parliament protests scheduled for July 23, 2024, the NUP clarified that while they did not organize the protests, they fully support the initiative. The party expressed solidarity with the young people leading the protests against injustice and corruption. The NUP believes that the regime’s attempts to portray the protests as a party-driven initiative aim to undermine the movement by making it appear partisan.
The NUP emphasized that the protests are a collective effort by Ugandans, irrespective of their political affiliations, and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the fight against corruption and misrule.
