The National Unity Platform (NUP) leadership wrote a letter on May 23, 2024, protesting the alleged brutality and illegal obstruction of their activities by the police and military on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. It should be noted that the Bobi Wine led party is carrying out countrywide mobilization activities in the buildup of the 2026 general elections.
The Uganda Police Force met with the NUP leadership led by the party spokesperson, Hon Joel Ssenyonyi and the secretary General, David Lewis Rubongoya at Police Headquarters Naguru on May 27, 2024, in response to their letter. The two parties by the end of the meeting agreed on a number of resolutions.
Below are some of the conclusions reached between the Uganda Police Force and NUP Leaders;
“1. The NUP Leadership should, in all their notifications, write officially to the IGP early enough as per the law to allow UPF management to reply in time and copy their letters to the Territorial Commanders.
- The District Security Committee shall carry out an assessment of security at the venue, environs, and the route that the NUP members intend to use before the meetings. The committee will work together with the Liaison Officer of NUP to agree on an appropriate venue where Police can effectively provide security. The assessment will be in coordination with town clerks who always grant permission for venue usage.
- The NUP Leadership will provide a liaison officer whose role will be to coordinate with Police Headquarters and Unit Commanders regarding preparations for holding their activities and following up on security concerns from the party.
- The meeting urged NUP Leadership to prevail over their members who wear military insignia, as these acts contravene the law. Persons found culpable shall be dealt with individually.
- Regarding the alleged confiscated NUP items by security, it was agreed that a follow-up will be made by the Director of Operations, and communication will be made later.
- Regarding NUP members arrested for acts contravening the law, the meeting agreed that the NUP Liaison Officer should always contact the Police for follow-up.”
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Meanwhile the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen Kahinda Otafire while ushering in the new IGP, Abbas Byakagaba and his deputy urged them not to brutalize opposition leaders. Otafiire urged them to treat them with respect despite their divergent views. The General further urged to make sure that they contain them in order not to disrupt public order.
