At least 35 National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters have been charged before the Mbarara Chief Magistrate’s Court for allegedly obstructing a senior police officer during a campaign rally for party leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, better known as Bobi Wine. The NUP supporters charged were arrested on November 7 along the Mbarara–Bwizibwera–Ibanda road after a heated confrontation with police during the opposition’s campaign activities.
According to court documents, the group is accused of “willfully obstructing SP Kenneth Kabwigo Gumisiriza, the District Police Commander of Mbarara Central Police Station, in the due execution of his duty.” They were charged under Section 221(b) of the Penal Code Act, which criminalizes obstruction of law enforcement officers.
Details of the Case and Key Accused Individuals
Among those charged are Namazzi Hajarah (alias Pasha), Matsiko Augustine, Nalubega Shabiba, Musasizi Hassan, Nuwahereza David, and Alimpa Maria. Some of the accused were later transferred to Kiruhura District for separate proceedings, while others, including Olivia Lutaaya, were taken to Kanyanya Magistrate’s Court in Kampala.
NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya criticized the charges as politically driven, arguing that the arrests were intended to derail Bobi Wine’s campaign trail across western Uganda. “The regime’s goal is to stretch us thin by keeping us entangled in multiple legal battles at a critical stage of the election season,” Rubongoya stated.
Police Defend Arrests Amid Growing Political Tension
Police officials, however, insist the arrests were justified, citing acts of public disorder, assault on officers, and destruction of government property during the rally. A police statement from November 7 emphasized that individuals involved in violent conduct during campaign events would be “held personally accountable.”
The case has deepened political tensions in the region, with the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) also condemning what it termed “the violent treatment and humiliation of opposition supporters.” ANT urged the Electoral Commission to guarantee safety and fairness for all candidates ahead of the upcoming elections.
Wider Implications for Political Campaigns
The NUP supporters charged case comes amid heightened scrutiny of opposition rallies across Uganda, where reports of security interference have become frequent. Observers note that such confrontations could affect the fairness of the electoral process if not handled transparently.
As proceedings continue, the case underscores Uganda’s ongoing struggle to balance law enforcement with political freedoms in a tense election atmosphere.
