The National Unity Platform (NUP) has announced its intention to file a lawsuit against the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), and the Attorney General in the High Court following a controversial security raid on their party headquarters in Kampala.
Last Friday, security forces conducted a raid on NUP’s headquarters at Makerere Kavule and their leadership school in Kamwokya. The stated purpose of the operation was to search for incriminating evidence against some party leaders.
NUP leaders argue that the security forces acted illegally, entering their premises without a valid court-issued search warrant. “There was a viable reason to show us a search warrant. We are an organisation with known leadership and legal representation; they shouldn’t have forcibly evicted everyone. The purpose of a search is to ensure that relevant individuals are present if it is for evidential purposes,” said Mr. Musisi.
Ugandan law, specifically the Criminal Procedure Code Act, outlines the process for obtaining and executing search warrants. It requires law enforcement to present sworn evidence to a court, demonstrating reasonable grounds to believe that relevant evidence related to a crime may be found on the premises.
“This week, we are taking the police and army to the High Court not only for intrusion but also for robbery and malicious damage to our property, including computers, CCTV cameras, the theft of Shs32m, and furniture,” Mr. Musisi stated. He added, “We believe these operations are not aimed at investigating a criminal case but rather at intimidation. Security forces are being used as a coercive arm of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to interfere in political contests and suppress legitimate opposition.”
Ms. Doreen Kaija, the administrator of the NUP Leadership School, reported extensive property damage, including laptops, windows, doors, cameras, and library books. She also confirmed the theft of Shs2 million in cash.
Robert Kyagulanyi, writing on X (formerly Twitter), alleged that some of the stolen items had been tracked via GPS to police headquarters in Naguru and the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) headquarters in Mbuya, Kampala. “We have traced some of the stolen computers, phones, and other electronic gadgets to the Police Headquarters at Naguru, while others have been taken to CMI (DIS) headquarters at Mbuya, according to the GPS on these devices,” Kyagulanyi posted. He further claimed that there were attempts to hack into some of the devices, but that NUP’s IT teams were working to protect their data.
NUP leaders have strongly condemned the raid and its aftermath. Joel Ssenyonyi, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, stated, “…In the two days that they have been at our premises, they have wrecked so much havoc. Doors were broken, money taken from our accounts office, computers taken, electricity and internet wires were cut, cameras disconnected, and a lot more property was destroyed. We are going to do proper stock-taking to establish all that’s been taken, and the extent of the damage. While these illegal acts tend to disorganise our operations a little bit, they will certainly not break our resolve.”
Benjamin Katana, National Treasurer for NUP, added, “The criminal conduct of every dictatorial regime has never stopped the population from regaining power in their country. This criminal conduct will not stop this regime from falling…” The planned legal action underscores the escalating tensions between the NUP and the government, and raises concerns about the conduct of security forces in political matters.
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