The National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters in Western Uganda took to the streets of Mbarara City on Monday, protesting what they described as politically motivated abductions and torture of opposition members—accusations that have triggered national outrage following shocking remarks by First Son Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Chanting slogans like “Free Eddie Mutwe,” “Free Gaddafi,” and “Museveni Must Go,” the protestors denounced the continued detention and alleged abuse of NUP leaders and supporters.
They also accused Muhoozi, the Chief of Defence Forces, of promoting tribal hatred after he posted online that a detained NUP bodyguard was being kept in his “basement” to learn Runyankore and salute a portrait of President Museveni.
“Muhoozi is promoting tribalism—saying he abducted a Muganda to teach him Runyankore. That’s illegal and dangerous,” said Joshua Tumukunde, NUP’s Head of Legal Affairs for Western Uganda.
“As Banyankore, we reject that.”
Bright Muhumuza, the party’s coordinator for Ankole subregion, condemned the use of torture and what he called a state campaign of fear against political dissent.
“The only crime these young men committed is saying that Museveni must go. That is not a crime—it’s a constitutional right,” he said.
Protestors raised alarm about the growing tribal tensions, warning of a trajectory reminiscent of Rwanda’s dark past.
“When you start abducting people to force tribal assimilation, we are headed for genocide,” warned Ibrahim Abaho.
Semakula Mulutaza, another demonstrator, added: “Muhoozi, we don’t want tribal wars where Banyankore discriminate against Baganda simply because of their ethnicity. This is dangerous.”
As pressure mounts on the government to account for the whereabouts and treatment of its critics, the protest in Mbarara signaled a rare moment of open defiance in a region traditionally seen as a ruling party stronghold.
Whether this wave of resistance deepens or is suppressed will be closely watched both locally and internationally.