Soldiers, Police Block Uganda Opposition HQ Ahead Of July 23 Anti-corruption Protests

Soldiers and police officers have blocked the headquarters of Uganda’s biggest opposition party as a precaution before the planned anti-government protests slated to be held on Tuesday.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, said security forces surrounded NUP headquarters in Kampala, preventing anyone from entering or leaving. He shared photos of military personnel and army trucks at the site on his X account on Monday.

Wine wrote: “Ahead of our scheduled press conference this morning, the military and police have raided and surrounded the National Unity Platform offices at Kavule.

“The cowardly regime is afraid of the people because they know how much they have wronged them! Blockades like these are never a sign that they are so strong- they’re a sign that they are so weak.”

Wine, 42, a pop star turned politician, has become a leading challenger to President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.

Ugandan youths plan to march to parliament on Tuesday to protest corruption and human rights abuses under Museveni’s rule. The protest draws inspiration from similar movements in neighbouring Kenya.

Addressing the nation on Saturday night, Museveni accused “certain elements, including some opposition figures”, of collaborating with foreigners to incite chaos through riots and illegal demonstrations.

He warned protesters that they were playing with fire, stating that the planned protest would not be tolerated.

“We are busy producing wealth… and you want to disturb us here. You are playing with fire because we cannot allow you to disturb us,” he said.

Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said security forces acted to prevent NUP from organising the protest. “We have been monitoring this. Their activities raised a red flag, so we took preventive measures,” he said.

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