KAMPALA.
At least fifteen supporters and leaders of the Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) have been charged for defacing President Museveni’s campaign posters in Busega , Kibumbiro Zone, Rubaga Division.
The suspects, who include electricians, businesspeople, and boda boda cyclists , were presented before court on charges of “defacement of notices and posters contrary to Section 78(2) of the Presidential Elections Act.”
According to a charge sheet signed by D/SP Kusiima Harriet , the accused—ranging from 19 to 40 years of age—are said to have willfully removed and destroyed Museveni’s posters on July 14, 2025. The charge sheet further states that the offence took place in the lead up to President Museveni’s visit in Kampala as he popularize the Parish Development Model programme .
Those charged and remanded include Junior Amanya, Sande Ddamba, , , Moses Rwanguhayo, Marvin Sendago ,George Mukoza, Diriisa Kintu, Alfred Kato, Vincent Kizito, Abdul Tamale, Ali Mweseiga, Charles Lukyamuzi.Akram Ssenkumba ,Peter Nsamba, Alex Kasagga and Fred Bisimugu.
The suspects were remanded to Luzira Prison and will remain detention until July 29, when their case will come for mention.
In his response , NUP Secretary General ,Mr David Lewis Rubongoya condemned the arrests, saying they were politically motivated and symptomatic of the state’s ongoing crackdown on opposition voices ahead of Museveni’s Kampala visit.
“Fifteen NUP leaders and supporters were picked up from different places in Lubaga Division—some from their homes,” Rubongoya said in a statement. “The real reason for their detention is to instil fear in the population in case they choose to lead protests and demonstrations.”
Rubongoya further criticized what he described as double standards in the enforcement of campaign regulations. “The same regime which sends goons to tear our posters and records themselves doing so is now charging our supporters for allegedly tampering with Museveni’s posters—yet he is not even a candidate!” he added.
He claimed that NUP supporters face routine harassment when trying to pin up posters in various parts of the country, citing a recent incident in Kamwenge where three supporters were detained for merely erecting campaign materials.