Military Beats Journalists, Vandalizes NUP Headquarters as Party Leaders Demand Access

Journalists covering the National Unity Platform (NUP) were today assaulted by military officials guarding the party’s headquarters at Makerere Kavule. The incident occurred as NUP leaders, including Vice President for Buganda Region Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, and Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, attempted to gain access to their premises.

The military, which had occupied the NUP headquarters for two days, initially denied the leaders entry. In the process, soldiers reportedly beat journalists covering the event using electricity cables. Ssenyonyi later confirmed on his X (formerly Twitter) account that the military eventually allowed them access, revealing the offices had been extensively vandalized.

In his post, Ssenyonyi detailed the extent of the damage:
“Today we went to the NUP School of Leadership in Kamwokya and found that the military had vandalized our property. We proceeded to our Headquarters in Kavule, and the military was still in place. They first denied us access and even beat up some journalists using cable wires. We insisted that if they were conducting a legal search, we ought to be present. They eventually departed, and we accessed our offices.

In the two days that they have been at our premises, they have wreaked so much havoc. Doors were broken, money was taken from our accounts office, computers were stolen, electricity and internet wires were cut, cameras were disconnected, and a lot more property was destroyed.

We are going to do proper stock-taking to establish all that’s been taken and the extent of the damage. While these illegal acts tend to disorganize our operations a little bit, they will not break our spirit.”

The raid on the NUP headquarters comes just 48 hours after the opposition held joint prayers, raising concerns about a continued crackdown on dissent. The party has accused the government of using intimidation and harassment to suppress opposition activities.

NUP leaders have vowed to document the damages and hold those responsible accountable. They also condemned the assault on journalists, calling it an attack on press freedom and democracy.

The incident has sparked outrage among human rights activists and opposition supporters, who are demanding an end to the militarization of political spaces and respect for constitutional rights.

As tensions escalate, NUP remains resolute, asserting that such acts of repression will only strengthen their resolve to fight for justice and democracy in Uganda.