KAMPALA. Court in Kampala Tuesday remanded to Luzira Prison the National Unity Platform (NUP) School of Leadership Principal, Ms Doreen Kaija, for allegedly running an illegal school and engaging in unlawful military drills.
This came two days after Kaija was reportedly abducted by security operatives in the continued crackdown by forces against unlawful military drills.
Ms Kaija, who was reportedly picked up by security officers in both military uniform and civilian attire on Sunday in Kinawataka, Mbuya, and held in an undisclosed location, was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kanyanya on multiple charges, including unlawful drilling, conspiracy to commit a felony, and operating a private school that has remained unregistered since 2020.
“We don’t face the law, we are facing the gun,” Ms Kaija told journalists through the bars of Kawempe Chief Magistrates court holding cells after being remanded to Luzira Prison until September 29, 2025, when she is expected to return to court.
Ms Kaija’s arraignment comes amid an intensifying crackdown on opposition supporters, with several NUP members recently detained under questionable circumstances ahead of the 2026 General Election, in which President Museveni seeks a fifth consecutive term after more than four decades in power.
Kaija was added to the charge sheet alongside nine other NUP members and leaders , many of whom are linked to the NUP president, Robert Kyagulanyi’s private security detail.
The list includes: Edward Ssebuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, Achileo Kivumbi, Calvin Tasi, alias Bobi Giant, Edwin Sserunkuma, alias Eddy King Kabejja, Sharif Lukenge, Yasin Nyanzi, Tonny Kawesi, Saudah Madaada, and Party deputy spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro.
The arrests have drawn sharp criticism from opposition circles and human rights activists who argue that these actions target political dissenters rather than enforce the law, raising concerns over electoral freedoms and civil liberties ahead of next year’s General Elections .