NUP’s Rubongoya slams double standards as Police block “youth protest vote”campaign,

Tensions boiled over Monday morning as the Uganda Police Force blocked the National Unity Platform (NUP) from launching their highly anticipated “Youth Protest Vote” campaign.

The planned event was to take place at the party’s Makerere Kavule headquarters, but police swiftly sealed off the area, preventing media and supporters from accessing the venue.

David Rubongoya, the NUP Secretary General, condemned the police action, alleging double standards in the way opposition activities are handled compared to those of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

“We had called the media and our supporters to the offices by morning, but the police blocked them from accessing the headquarters. The deployment started the night before,” Rubongoya said

He further accused the Uganda Police of allowing NRM leaders and mobilizers to conduct their activities without hindrance.

“We’ve seen NRM leaders and mobilizers holding processions under police protection. But when we try to do the same, we’re blocked,” Rubongoya added.

He pointed to the NRM’s Hajjat Hadijah Namyalo, who recently organized a procession urging youth to support President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in the upcoming 2026 elections.

Namyalo’s “Settle for Museveni, say no to protest Vote” campaign, held over the weekend, was held without incident, despite NUP’s claims that their peaceful mobilization efforts were thwarted.

NUP had framed the Youth Protest Vote campaign as a non-violent initiative to encourage youth participation in the political process, particularly ahead of the 2026 general elections. However, by midday, the party had yet to release an official response to the police’s actions.

In a statement, the Uganda Police Force confirmed that they were aware of the planned launch and reiterated that the event would not be allowed to proceed.

“The proposed launch, along with any associated activities, will not be permitted,” the statement read. The police justified the move by claiming that it was necessary to “maintain public order,” urging all parties to comply with the directive.

Pamela Achom