Kampala, Uganda – What began as a celebratory moment for National Unity Platform’s (NUP) Ali Buken, better known as Nubian Li, quickly turned into chaos when he was arrested just minutes after securing his nomination to contest for Nakawa Division Mayor.
The dramatic scene unfolded outside the Electoral Commission offices in Ntinda where the popular musician, political activist, and longtime associate of opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) had successfully filed his papers earlier today.
Eyewitnesses say Nubian Li had just waved to supporters when a group of armed police officers surrounded him and forcefully pushed him into a waiting police truck. The officers did not explain the reason for the arrest, and within moments, the vehicle sped off to an unknown location.
The arrest immediately drew condemnation from NUP leaders. Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament and NUP spokesperson, expressed outrage in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
“A short while ago, as he exited the Electoral Commission offices in Ntinda after being nominated for the position of Nakawa Mayor, Ali Buken (Nubian Li) was pushed into a police truck and taken to an unknown location. The fear of the regime is evident, let’s press on!”
Ssenyonyi’s remarks reflect a wider sentiment within the opposition that the government is increasingly cracking down on its political rivals ahead of the 2026 General Election.
This is not the first time Nubian Li has found himself in police custody. He was previously arrested in 2020 during the presidential campaigns, facing charges linked to public order violations. To his supporters, these arrests are not about law enforcement but about silencing a powerful voice that resonates with Uganda’s youth.
Political analysts note that Nubian Li’s nomination for Nakawa Mayor adds significant weight to NUP’s local government strategy. His celebrity status, combined with his close ties to Bobi Wine, makes him a formidable candidate in the capital.
The timing and manner of the arrest has once again raised alarms about the state of democracy in Uganda. In recent years, opposition figures have reported repeated harassment, arrests, and even violence during campaigns. During the Kawempe by-election, NUP leaders, including Joel Ssenyonyi, were physically assaulted while monitoring alleged electoral malpractices.
Civil society organizations and human rights defenders have long warned that such incidents undermine the credibility of Uganda’s electoral process.
As of this evening, Nubian Li’s whereabouts remain unclear. His legal team is reportedly making efforts to trace him, while NUP supporters have vowed to keep demanding his release.
With elections only months away, the arrest of Nubian Li adds to a growing list of incidents that have cast a shadow over Uganda’s political climate. The spotlight is now firmly on how the state handles opposition campaigns and whether Ugandans will be allowed to choose their leaders freely.
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