NUP Members Organise Canada-Wide Protests Against Museveni’s Victory, Cite Election Malpractice and Abductions
OTTAWA — Members of Uganda’s opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) living in Canada organised coordinated protests across several cities to denounce President Yoweri Museveni’s declared election victory, citing widespread election malpractice, violence, and abductions in Uganda.
The demonstrations were held in Ottawa, Montreal, and Cornwall, led by NUP members within the Ugandan diaspora. In Ottawa, the mobilisation was organised by NUP supporters under the leadership of Chairman Chobe, with activists saying the action was meant to amplify the voices of Ugandans who, they claim, were silenced during the election period.
Napoleon Byarugaba, identified as a spokesperson and leader within the NUP Canada Chapter in Ottawa, played a visible role during the protests, addressing demonstrators and engaging the public on the concerns raised by the opposition. He said the protests were intended to draw international attention to what NUP describes as a fundamentally flawed electoral process in Uganda.
Protesters accused the Ugandan authorities of presiding over an election marked by malpractice, including voter intimidation, heavy deployment of security forces at polling stations, interference with opposition polling agents, and restrictions on political organising. They further alleged that the electoral environment was marred by chaos and fear, undermining the ability of citizens to vote freely.
A major focus of the protests was the issue of abductions and enforced disappearances. NUP members said numerous opposition supporters and officials were allegedly taken by security forces before and after the election, with some still unaccounted for. Human rights organisations have previously raised concerns about the use of arbitrary arrests and detentions during election periods in Uganda, allegations the government has repeatedly denied.
Placards and chants at the protests condemned President Museveni’s prolonged rule and called for accountability, democratic reforms, and respect for human rights. Demonstrators urged the Canadian government and the wider international community to scrutinise the election outcome and pressure Ugandan authorities to uphold democratic principles.
While the Ugandan government maintains that the election was conducted lawfully and reflects the will of the people, NUP members in Canada insist the results lack legitimacy. Protest organisers said similar actions would continue until, in their words, “electoral justice is achieved and the rights of Ugandans are fully respected.”
The Canada-based protests add to growing diaspora-led activism seeking to keep Uganda’s political and human rights situation in the international spotlight.
