Uganda opposition office under goes safety ‘lockdown’

(MENAFN) On Monday, Ugandan police and military forces besieged the headquarters of the National Unity Platform (NUP), the country's largest opposition party, according to its leader, Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine. This development comes just ahead of scheduled anti-government protests set for Tuesday, which have been prohibited by the authorities.

Bobi Wine took to X (formerly Twitter) to report that the NUP office near Kampala had been raided and converted into a military stronghold. He described how several party leaders were violently detained and roads leading to the office were blocked, accusing the government of fearfully suppressing dissent.

The planned protests, led by Uganda’s youth, are intended to address concerns over widespread corruption and human rights abuses under President Yoweri Museveni's administration. These demonstrations are partly inspired by recent youth-led rallies in neighboring Kenya, where violent clashes with police resulted in numerous deaths.

President Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, issued a stern warning against the upcoming anti-corruption marches, labeling them as dangerous provocations. He accused the organizers of collaborating with foreign entities to incite unrest and claimed that his government, which he said is focused on economic development, will not tolerate disruptions.

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