Thirteen NUP supporters remanded after arrest on way to Luwero burial
NUP Secretary General Rubongoya accuses government of using criminal charges to suppress opposition supporters
Thirteen supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) have been remanded until August 28 after being arrested while travelling from Kampala to Luwero for a burial ceremony.
According to NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, the group was intercepted and arrested at Kawempe after police allegedly found them wearing NUP party colours and carrying a party flag.
Rubongoya said the supporters were detained at Kawempe Police Station before being arraigned at Kanyanya Court, where they were charged with being a nuisance and allegedly handling the national flag in a “careless and degrading way.”
He further alleged that the accused persons were not allowed to make a bail application before being remanded.
“The regime [is] always manufacturing cases to ensure a constant presence of political prisoners,” Rubongoya said in a statement, condemning the arrests.
The 13 accused are Muwonge Martin, Bwire Hakim, Sseremba Paul, Kawanda Ezra, Ssali Fred, Simon Geserwa, Kasule Godfrey, Nakitende Vivian, Waswa Mohammed, Nayebale Grace, Musisi Shafiq, Lubega Shakuru and Ssuuna Simon.
Their arrest adds to growing tensions between opposition supporters and security agencies ahead of Uganda’s political activities surrounding the 2026 elections.
NUP has repeatedly raised concerns over the arrest and prosecution of its supporters, accusing security agencies of targeting members and supporters because of their political affiliation.
The latest case is likely to draw further scrutiny from opposition groups and human rights advocates, particularly over the circumstances of the arrests, the charges brought against the group and their continued detention pending the next court appearance.
