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The Uganda Police Force has indefinitely suspended the National Unity Platform (NUP)’s regional mobilisation training meetings in Western and Northern Uganda, accusing the party of repeatedly violating public order and traffic laws during its activities.
In a letter dated April 16, 2025, addressed to NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, the Inspector General of Police, through his representative Okoshi Simon Peter, cited the party’s recent mobilisation event in Mbale as the basis for the decision.
According to the letter, NUP supporters “disregarded all traffic laws and regulations and totally blocked oncoming traffic at Iganga Town” while returning from the event on April 14.
“Mobilization must not endanger people’s lives, including other innocent road users,” the letter warned, referencing earlier correspondences in May and July 2024 which, police say, outlined the required procedures for conducting political activities.
As a result, the police suspended two upcoming meetings that were part of NUP’s nationwide mobilisation drive: one scheduled for Thursday, April 17 at Ankole Resort Bushenyi Ltd, and another set for April 24 at Palm Garden Restaurant and Guest House in Gulu.
The suspension marks the latest confrontation between security agencies and the opposition party, which has repeatedly accused authorities of using security concerns as a pretext to curtail political freedoms.
The meetings were meant to train regional mobilisation teams ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The police directive was also copied to the Regional Police Commanders of Greater Bushenyi and Aswa West.
In response, NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, condemned the suspension and accused the police of operating under political influence.
“Following our very successful @NUP_Ug leaders’ convention in Mbale, the partisan police have yet again blocked our engagements in Western Uganda and Northern Uganda,” Bobi Wine wrote on social media.
“Today we were meant to be in Bushenyi meeting our leaders there, while Gulu was scheduled for next week.”
He accused President Yoweri Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) of double standards, stating that while NUP events were being blocked, government officials were freely traversing the country holding rallies and campaign processions.
“Before this new blockade, they had put a blanket ban on our nationwide mobilise tours. Of course the regime is doing all this out of panic and fear. On our part, we shall continue to mobilise, organise and agitate. Our struggle will end in victory!” he added.
The government has defended such actions as necessary to preserve law and order, especially in the run-up to the 2026 elections.
Despite the police directive, NUP has vowed to press on with its mobilisation efforts, signaling further political tensions in the weeks ahead.
