Heavy Military Deployment at NUP Headquarters in Kamwokya

Kampala, Uganda – What was meant to be a day of celebration for Uganda’s leading opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP) turned into a tense and politically charged standoff after heavily armed Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers were deployed around the party headquarters in Kamwokya.

The deployment came just as NUP leaders were hosting a major event to welcome defectors from rival political parties ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 general election.

By mid-morning, multiple UPDF trucks had taken positions around NUP’s Kamwokya base with soldiers stationed at every visible corner. Dressed in full combat gear and armed with assault rifles, the soldiers created a chilling atmosphere that cast a shadow over what was meant to be a moment of political momentum for NUP.

Inside the NUP compound, party officials remained defiant.

“We are here to welcome Ugandans from across the political spectrum who are tired of corruption, oppression and fake promises,” said NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, addressing attendees.

 “But the military presence outside speaks volumes about the kind of fear our growth is triggering within the regime.”

Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu better known as Bobi Wine addressed the gathering with passion and clarity, vowing to press forward despite the visible threats.

“Every time we gather, every time we rise, they send soldiers. But we are not scared. We are energized,” he said.

 “The people are waking up and no number of boots on the ground will stop the wave of change.”

Among those officially received into the party were former district leaders from the Democratic Party (DP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and several independent Members of Parliament including Nakaseke MP Hon. Paul Luttamaguzi Semakula, Patrick Nsanja, Fortunate Nantongo, Joan Namutaawe, and journalist-turned-politician Zambali Mukasa showing a powerful signal of NUP’s growing influence in rural and urban strongholds.

However, the presence of UPDF at a peaceful political gathering has drawn condemnation from civil society organizations and human rights defenders.

“There was no violence, no riot, no breach of peace. This was intimidation, pure and simple,” said Nicholas Opio, a Kampala-based lawyer and activist.

“The constitution guarantees the right to assembly and political association. This display of military force violates that right.”

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