KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan police reportedly fired live bullets and teargas to disperse National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters at the party’s Makerere-Kavule offices on Tuesday, leading to chaos and arrests.
The incident occurred as NUP supporters from Nansana municipality were escorting candidate Steven Kaweesi to the NUP headquarters to pick up expression of interest forms.
Chaos erupted along Bombo Road when the procession caused a significant traffic gridlock. Police attempted to arrest the supporters, sparking running battles.
Officers from Wandegeya Police Station were observed firing live rounds and forcibly gaining access to the NUP offices to apprehend suspects who had sought shelter inside.
An aide to NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, speaking anonymously to Vivid Voice News, described the scene as police arrested Kaweesi from the party headquarters.
“They fired numerous bullets into the air, and teargas filled the area as they arrested Kaweesi and some of his bodyguards,” the aide stated. “They had come for registration to express interest in the Nansana municipality.”
NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known as Bobi Wine, swiftly condemned the raid.
“The military and police just raided the NUP office headquarters and fired bullets. Several comrades have been injured and others arrested. No explanation has been given for this criminality,” Mr Kyagulanyi said in a statement.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango indicated that an official statement on the incident would be issued.
This raid mirrors a similar event in February, when police and other security forces forcibly entered the NUP headquarters and its leadership school at Kamwokya, with police stating at the time they were searching for exhibits.
