The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has condemned security forces for blocking leaders and supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) from accessing Bulange, the seat of the Buganda Kingdom administration, ahead of a planned meeting with Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga.
Speaking after the incident, Ssenyonyi criticised what he described as excessive and unjustified police action, questioning the decision to block and disperse political leaders en route to Bulange.
“It is not a crime to come home. Bulange and Buganda is our home, a home for all of us. But why do police arrest and beat us on the way here?” Ssenyonyi said.
According to NUP officials, several party leaders and supporters were intercepted, blocked and dispersed as they attempted to reach Bulange for the scheduled engagement with the Buganda Kingdom leadership.
Despite the disruption, the Katikkiro later met NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu at Bulange on Tuesday.
The meeting took place amid Kyagulanyi’s ongoing political activities and mobilisation efforts in Rubaga Division.
Details of the discussions were not immediately disclosed, but the engagement is understood to be part of Kyagulanyi’s wider consultations with cultural and community leaders as he prepares for upcoming political engagements in Kampala.
The incident has renewed debate over political freedoms and the conduct of security agencies during opposition activities.
NUP leaders say the actions violate constitutional guarantees on freedom of movement and assembly, and have called on authorities to respect the rights of all political actors.