David Musiri, an opposition activist affiliated with the National Unity Platform (NUP), has been charged with aggravated robbery following his detention at Katwe Police Station.
According to NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, Police allege that Musiri and others robbed money and a phone from two individuals, Seruga Badiru and Kayondo Huzayifa — claims Musiri denies.
"They conducted a search at his home and recovered nothing," Rubongoya said.
"It’s a clearly trumped-up political case."
The charge of aggravated robbery is a capital offence under Ugandan law and can only be tried by the High Court.
Rubongoya drew parallels between Musiri’s case and those of other NUP supporters currently detained in Masaka.
“Surprisingly, they’re charging him with aggravated robbery — similar charges they slapped on our comrades at Masaka prison,” he posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Several National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters, including Achileo Kivumbi, head of NUP’s security team, Gadafi Mugumya, and Grace Wakabi, have been detained in Masaka and charged with multiple counts, including robbery and malicious damage to property.
The charges stem from incidents involving journalists Zainabu Namusaazi and Margret Kayondo, whose equipment was allegedly damaged during confrontations with the accused.
Kivumbi has faced multiple arrests; in August 2024, he was charged in the General Court Martial with unlawful possession of military items and later granted bail, only to be re-arrested in February 2025 in connection with the new charges involving journalists.
Meanwhile, Rubongoya also alluded to the ongoing move to fast track amendment of the law to reinstate civilian trial in the military court after the Supreme Court outlawed the same in January.
He suggested that the capital nature of the charges are being preferred from prepare NUP supporters for court martial.
“As they try to reinstate the military court, it seems the regime’s new strategy to keep away some comrades is to charge them with aggravated robbery.”
Rubongoya confirmed that the party’s legal team has begun efforts to secure Musiri’s release.
“Our legal team has already embarked on steps to try and secure his freedom,” he wrote, urging public attention to the matter.
“We’re all called upon not to remain silent amidst this criminality.”
The arrests have drawn concern from human rights defenders and opposition figures over the treatment of NUP supporters and the implications for political freedoms and press rights in Uganda.