Police in Uganda allegedly surrounded and raided the opposition National Unity Platform’s (NUP) headquarters on Monday ahead of a planned march to parliament on Tuesday that aims to protest corruption under the present regime.
The NUP reported that the roads to the party’s headquarters had been blocked, and “several [party] leaders have been violently arrested.” While the NUP did not organize the march to parliament, the party supported and encouraged public participation in it.
The police issued a warning to organizers against commencing the march on July 15th, citing potential for “significant traffic congestion, disruption of trade, and disturbances to public order.” In their release, they mentioned having met with organizers on July 18th to discuss the “feasibility of a political procession,” and added that “disorderly conduct will not be tolerated.”
Current President Yoweri Museveni decried the protests as “riots, illegal demonstrations, illegal and inconsiderate processions,” accusing the opposition of colluding with foreigners.
The NUP recently completed a “nationwide mobilization tour.” On July 15th, the police allegedly blocked the NUP from accessing rally grounds and prevented speaking on the radio in Bundibugyo, although rallies and speaking engagements proceeded at other locations.
Elections in Uganda are regular, but “their credibility has deteriorated over time,” according to Freedom House, which rates Uganda as “not free.” The NUP claims some of its candidates were abducted and tortured during and after the last general election in 2021. Freedom House reports that the ruling National Resistance Movement, in power since 1986, retains control through patronage, intimidation, and politicized prosecutions of opposition leaders.
The US government and numerous international human rights organizations note that Ugandan activists and opposition leaders are consistently harassed and threatened for expressing anti-government views.
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