Uganda Police Halts NUP Mobilisation Meetings in Bushenyi and Gulu

Kampala, Uganda – The Uganda Police Force has officially suspended all regional mobilisation meetings of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Western and Northern Uganda citing alleged traffic law violations and public safety concerns following a large NUP leaders’ convention held in Mbale on April 14, 2025.

The move communicated in a letter from Police Headquarters to NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, halts the Bushenyi and Gulu engagements that were scheduled for April 17 and April 24, respectively.

According to the letter, the Inspector General of Police accused NUP of intentionally ignoring previously outlined mobilisation guidelines referencing multiple letters, including one from May 2024 and another from July 2024.

The letter cited “totally blocked oncoming traffic at Iganga Town” as a “case in point”, alleging that such actions posed dangers to public safety.

As a result, the Uganda Police stated that “mobilisation must not endanger people’s lives, including other innocent road users.”

NUP party president and former presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) took to X (formerly Twitter) minutes after the police letter surfaced accusing the police of partisanship and double standards.

“While they block our events, Museveni and his criminal enterprise have been moving around the country campaigning, holding rallies and processions,” he posted.

“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!”

This latest development has reignited national debate over freedom of assembly, political pluralism and the rule of law in Uganda.

While the police maintain that their decision is grounded in public safety, opposition argue that the ruling NRM continues to enjoy unrestricted nationwide access even holding large-scale rallies without scrutiny.

The timing of the ban coming shortly after the successful Mbale convention and the specific mention of traffic violations appear to some as a pretext to choke opposition mobilisation in strategic regions like Western and Northern Uganda.

With 2026 elections looming on the horizon, the crackdown on opposition activities continues to stir concerns about democratic space and political fairness in Uganda. While NUP insists its activities are lawful and peaceful, the state appears determined to control the pace, places and scale of opposition gatherings.

Also Read: “Some NUP MPs Admit Pocketing Shs100M Cash,” says Lawyer George Musisi