KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda’s Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has alleged that there is a plan to implicate him in a high-profile terrorism case arising from the unrest in Butambala District, intensifying concerns over growing political tensions between the government and opposition figures.
In a statement posted on X on Friday evening, Ssenyonyi claimed he had received information suggesting that he could soon be added to the terrorism case currently before court.
“So, I’m told there is a ploy to potentially add me onto the ‘Terrorism’ file of Butambala, or one of those other files in court,” Ssenyonyi wrote.
The Nakawa West legislator did not disclose the source of the information or provide evidence supporting the claim. By press time, neither the government nor Uganda’s security agencies had publicly responded to the allegations.
Ssenyonyi suggested that the alleged move was linked to his political activism and oversight role in Parliament, where he has emerged as one of the country’s most vocal critics of corruption and government spending.
“I’ve said previously; when you fight corruption, it fights back. Similarly, when you fight bad governance, it fights back. But we shall overcome,” he added.
Claims emerge amid escalating political tensions
The allegations come against the backdrop of an increasingly public confrontation between senior opposition figures and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
In recent days, Gen Kainerugaba has repeatedly targeted Ssenyonyi in a series of social media posts, openly expressing his desire to see him removed from the position of Leader of the Opposition (LoP).
“I have instructed PLU to study how to remove @JoelSsenyonyi from being leader of the opposition as soon as possible,” the army chief wrote earlier this week.
In a separate post, Gen Kainerugaba declared: “I want a new leader of the opposition in Parliament. And I will get him. He will be endorsed by me.”
The remarks sparked criticism from opposition supporters and constitutional commentators, who argued that the office of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) is determined by parliamentary law and the internal decisions of the largest opposition party rather than by the executive or military establishment.
The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) has also intensified his rhetoric against other opposition figures.
Following the recent arrest of Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Gen Kainerugaba described the detention as part of what he termed a broader “Rectification Campaign.”
“My arrest of Lukwago is just the beginning of the ‘Rectification Campaign’ in Uganda. The lists are long. Many more traitors are going to be arrested too. Uganda will be purified,” he posted.
Significance of the Butambala case
Ssenyonyi’s reference to the Butambala terrorism case is politically significant because the matter already involves several prominent opposition figures linked to the National Unity Platform (NUP).
The case stems from violence that erupted in Butambala District during and after Uganda’s January 2026 general elections.
Authorities subsequently charged several individuals with terrorism and related offences over attacks on public facilities, including Kibibi Police Station and the district tally centre.
Among those facing charges is Butambala County MP and NUP Vice President for Buganda, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi.
Kivumbi and his co-accused have consistently denied the allegations, arguing that the charges are politically motivated and aimed at suppressing opposition activity.
The case remains before the courts.
Anti-corruption profile
Since becoming Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Ssenyonyi has built a reputation as one of Parliament’s most outspoken accountability advocates.
He has led several high-profile investigations into allegations of misuse of public funds, government expenditure and corruption within public institutions.
His anti-corruption campaigns have earned him strong support among opposition supporters and civil society activists, while also attracting criticism from some government officials and ruling party supporters.
Political analysts note that his growing national profile has increasingly placed him at the centre of Uganda’s broader contest between the ruling establishment and opposition forces.
Growing concerns over political freedoms
Ssenyonyi’s claims are likely to deepen concerns among opposition groups, which have repeatedly accused the government of using arrests, prosecutions and security operations to intimidate critics and political opponents.
Government officials have consistently rejected such accusations, maintaining that all arrests and prosecutions are carried out in accordance with the law and based on evidence gathered by investigative agencies.
Also Read: Why Gen Muhoozi cannot remove Joel Ssenyonyi as Leader of Opposition
The latest allegations also come at a time of heightened political scrutiny over the role of security agencies and the increasingly prominent political interventions of Gen Kainerugaba, whose social media posts frequently shape national political debate.
Neither Parliament, the National Unity Platform (NUP) nor security agencies had issued formal statements regarding Ssenyonyi’s allegations by the time of publication.
As tensions continue to rise, the controversy is expected to fuel further debate about political freedoms, opposition rights and the role of security institutions in Uganda’s evolving political landscape.
