Kampala Police released 14 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters who were detained on Independence Day as they planned prayers. Among those released were NUP secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya, party spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi, and head of mobilization Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu. The release came without any charges.
The arrests had been made by Uganda People’s Defence Forces and Police, who were heavily deployed in Kamwokya and other areas of Kampala. Rubongoya and Ssenyonyi were taken into custody shortly after addressing journalists and were held at Kira Road Police Station. Several MPs, including Betty Nambooze and Francis Katabaazi, demanded their unconditional release.
The arrests were reportedly due to the NUP supporters organizing parallel Independence Day celebrations. Police claimed that these celebrations were a cover for other undisclosed activities. According to the Police, the NUP supporters were using their party offices in Kamwokya as an assembly point for members planning to participate in disruptive activities, such as burning tires and causing disruptions during the Independence Day celebrations in Kitgum, Northern Uganda.
NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu accused the authorities of raiding their headquarters to prevent them from addressing the country. He mentioned hosting relatives of some detained NUP supporters and called for their immediate release, emphasizing the need to resist such actions against citizens with differing political views.
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