Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) spokesperson Maj. Gen. Felix Kulayigye has said security forces are not abducting National Unity Platform (NUP) members but rather carrying out lawful arrests.
Speaking in an interview on Next Radio, Kulayigye said: “Anybody who finds themselves in the hands of government agencies has not been abducted. It is the methodology of arrest that differs.”
He explained that the recent arrests are linked to a parade organised by NUP at their headquarters in Makerere-Kavule earlier in February this year.
“Whoever participated in that illegal parade at the NUP headquarters in Kavule will be brought to court. That is why those individuals have been picked,” Kulayigye said.
When asked why security forces do not simply summon suspects instead of using violent arrests, Kulayigye declined to respond.
On Monday, Edward Ssebuufu, also known as Eddie Mutwe, and Achileo Kivumbi—both heads of security for NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi—appeared for a bail application hearing.
However, the hearing did not proceed after the state amended the charge sheet of conducting unlawful army-like drills and added five more NUP members: Tasi Calvin, also known as Bobi Giant, Lukenge Sharif, Nyanzi Yasin, Kaweesi Tonny, and Ssemakula Edwin. The matter was adjourned to 29 September 2025.
