Uganda police detained Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, deputy spokesperson of the National Unity Platform (NUP), outside a magistrate’s court in Kampala on Monday, September 8, 2025.
The incident has raised concerns about political targeting ahead of the 2026 elections.
Court Incident
Joel Ssenyonyi, the opposition leader in parliament, said Mufumbiro was “violently grabbed and pushed” into a minivan after attending a bail hearing for NUP members, including activist Eddie Mutwe.
The detained members face charges the party calls politically motivated.
Ssenyonyi criticized President Yoweri Museveni’s government, accusing it of “cowardice and criminality” in a social media post.
Police Response
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke confirmed Mufumbiro’s detention but did not provide reasons or a timeline for his court appearance.
Authorities have previously denied targeting opposition figures, stating that arrests are based on criminal suspicions and rejecting claims of mistreatment.
Rising Tensions
The NUP, led by Bobi Wine, claims the government is escalating abductions and harassment of opposition members as elections near.
Earlier in 2025, activist Eddie Mutwe was detained and showed signs of torture, according to Justice Minister Norbert Mao, who urged swift court action without naming those responsible.
Context and Concerns
Mufumbiro’s detention follows a pattern of actions against NUP members, raising fears of a broader crackdown. The opposition sees these moves as attempts to weaken their campaign ahead of the 2026 polls, testing Uganda’s democratic process.
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