The government of Uganda is reportedly considering outlawing the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party, citing growing security concerns over what intelligence sources describe as the group’s alleged militarisation, radicalisation of youth, and increasing intolerance toward dissenting political views.
According to highly placed sources within the security establishment, the matter was a key agenda item at a recent High Command meeting of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) chaired by President Yoweri Museveni at State House, Entebbe.
In his address following the meeting, President Museveni reaffirmed the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) commitment to maintaining a “disciplined democracy” and warned against what he termed as political intimidation disguised as activism.
“I emphasised the need for disciplined democracy in Uganda. The NRM advocates for disciplined democracy, not hooliganism or bad language,” Museveni said in a statement issued after the closed-door meeting.
“Politicians engaging in practices that intimidate citizens must stop. This is not the African way. The security agencies have discussed this issue, and it will come to an end,” he added.
The President urged young Ugandans to uphold patriotism and reject violence, warning against being lured into confrontational politics.
His remarks come against the backdrop of recent arrests and ongoing prosecutions of NUP supporters and leaders.
Among them is Robert Kyagulanyi’s long-serving bodyguard, Edward Ssebufu, also known as Eddie Mutwe, who was last week remanded to prison by the Masaka High Court on charges of robbery.
Others facing similar charges include Achileo Kivumbi, Gaddafi Mugumya, and Smart Wakabi, members of NUP who authorities accuse of involvement in violent disruptions at public events, notably the burial of former MP Muhammad Ssegirinya.
NUP has, however, dismissed the charges as politically motivated and an attempt to criminalise legitimate opposition activities.
Sources familiar with the ongoing internal security deliberations say a faction of top government officials has recommended a formal ban on NUP, while others have proposed a temporary suspension of its operations for at least a year to allow for a security review.
The Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has in recent days echoed a firm stance against what he calls “hooligan politics.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Gen. Muhoozi hailed President Museveni’s guidance to the military leadership and warned that NUP’s top leadership would not be spared if found to be undermining national security.
“I thank our venerable and heroic Commander-in-Chief, H.E. Kaguta Museveni, for his wise guidance to the High Command and Defence Council. We will never allow hooligans and puppets to come anywhere near power,” Muhoozi said.
“We are going to smash them once and for all.”
Meanwhile, former FDC leader and four-time presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye remains in Luzira Prison, facing treason charges linked to alleged plots to destabilise the government—a further signal of the state’s hardened position against opposition figures.
The government’s current legal strategy against NUP is reportedly drawing from precedent. In 2012, the government invoked Section 56(2) of the Penal Code Act to outlaw Activists for Change (A4C), a pressure group that had launched civil resistance campaigns against high commodity prices and poor governance.
At the time, then-Attorney General Peter Nyombi issued a declaration deeming A4C an “unlawful society,” with then Police Chief Gen. Kale Kayihura backing the move, citing alleged incitement and security risks during their rallies.
“The police must allow groups to exercise their rights and hold lawful rallies,” Kayihura said at the time. “But many such events were infiltrated and turned violent by A4C.”
Similarly, security insiders now argue that NUP activities pose a comparable threat. However, NUP maintains that it is a lawful political party committed to nonviolent change, the rule of law, and constitutional democracy.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior NUP official dismissed the claims of militarisation as “fabricated excuses to justify political persecution.”
“No evidence has been presented to show that we are involved in anything illegal. Our message has always been peaceful resistance and constitutional reform,” the official said.
While there is no official announcement yet regarding the status of NUP, the matter appears to be under active review.
