Police in Mubende District have blocked National Unity Platform (NUP) leaders from commissioning their new party offices in Kassambya Constituency, saying the event constituted a campaign activity not yet sanctioned by the Electoral Commission.
The incident occurred on Friday when police, led by District Police Commander (DPC) Bashir Bakulu Mpaji, intercepted a NUP delegation led by the party’s National Mobilizer, Abib Buwembo, and Mubende District Chairperson flag bearer, Pafuladito Kyeyune.
The two were accompanied by other party officials and flag bearers who had planned to launch the offices located in Buloonzi Village, Kassambya Constituency.
Police had erected road barricades ahead of the NUP team’s arrival, blocking their access to the venue. The confrontation quickly drew attention as NUP leaders demanded an explanation for the disruption.
“We want to know why you are blocking our way to the offices,” the NUP team asked.
DPC Bakulu Mpaji defended the police action, saying the event amounted to campaigning ahead of the official campaign period.
“The commissioning exercise is a campaign activity, yet the Electoral Commission has not authorized campaigns at both parliamentary and local government levels,” he said.
Buwembo, however, denounced the move as discriminatory, accusing the police of applying the law selectively.
“It is shocking to see police blocking NUP members from commissioning our offices, yet NRM leaders, including candidates, have been freely holding ‘Buganda for Museveni’ events in Mubende without interference,” he said.
“The DPC claims we are campaigning, but he forgets that NRM activities go on uninterrupted.”
As tensions escalated, police allowed only five NUP leaders to enter the offices for the commissioning and ordered them to disperse the residents who had gathered. The NUP team rejected the directive.
“We cannot do such a thing because the office belongs to the people of Kassambya, not just the leaders. You cannot tell me to commission an office that I am handing over to the people,” Buwembo said.
Kyeyune also criticized what he described as excessive deployment, noting that the blockade had left the rest of the district exposed.
“Look at the heavy deployment here—almost all police officers are present. Suppose an incident happens in town; how will they respond when both patrol vehicles are here?” he asked.
He added that the move reflected fear within the ruling establishment.
“This shows that these people are scared. No opposition activity is allowed to take place, but we shall continue pressing on until Mubende is painted red,” Kyeyune said.
Faced with the standoff, NUP leaders eventually called off the commissioning, resolving to postpone it until campaigns are officially opened by the Electoral Commission.
“We don’t want our people to be teargassed because of today’s event. We shall return after the official opening of the campaigns,” Buwembo said.
Some NUP members in Kassambya expressed disappointment over what they described as a continued pattern of harassment by security forces.
“When President Kyagulanyi came to Mubende last time, security blocked him from commissioning the offices—and now they have done it again today,” one supporter said.
The cancellation marked the second time NUP has been prevented from commissioning its offices in the constituency, underscoring the mounting tension between opposition parties and security forces ahead of the 2026 general elections.