Former Kawempe North MP Latif Ssebagala Ssengendo has condemned what he describes as a campaign of intimidation against the opposition, warning that arrests of National Unity Platform (NUP) members ahead of the 2026 elections reflect government fear rather than law enforcement.
Speaking on Sanyuka Morning Xpress on Thursday, Ssebagala criticized the treatment of NUP supporters, arguing that authorities have increasingly targeted party members with unlawful arrests.
“Every time elections draw near, fear takes over. Almost everyone close to Kyagulanyi ends up in prison, which only shows that the government fears the very people it is supposed to be leading,” he said.
Ssebagala specifically questioned the basis for arrests linked to a recent parade at NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule.
He likened such gatherings to school scouting activities, asking why these should be criminalized.
“It’s sad that we are in a situation where the government focuses on minor issues. How different are people who hold parades these days from scouts in schools?” he asked.
Recent arrests have included singer-turned-politician Nubian Li, Sauda Madaada, and Alex Mufumbiro. Others, such as Tasi Calvin (Bobi Giant), Serunkuuma Edwin, Lukenge Sharif, Yasin Nyanzi, and Tonny Kaweesi, have also been detained, joining previously arrested figures like Edward Sebuufu (Eddie Mutwe) and Achileo Kivumbi.
On Tuesday, Defence and Military spokesperson Felix Kulayigye defended the arrests, saying the detentions were a direct response to what authorities described as an illegal military-style parade at NUP headquarters in Makerere-Kavule earlier this year.
“Can I remind you that it was stated that whoever participated in that illegal parade at the NUP Headquarters in Makerere Kavule, will be brought to court?" Major General Kulayigye said
"That is why those individuals have been picked. There are no abductions that are done by the State. The State arrests, it doesn’t abduct," he said.
"No one is going to be arrested because they belong to a political party. We have had different political actors over time since 1986, and not one was ever arrested because they are from the Opposition.”
NUP leaders continue to reject any wrongdoing, stating that the activities were internal party programs and accusing government forces of politically motivated actions intended to weaken the opposition ahead of elections.
Ssebagala called on government authorities to exercise restraint, urging them to foster public confidence instead of fear. He added that targeting opposition figures undermines democratic principles and deepens national divisions.