NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, during a press conference on May 9, 2025, denounced the ongoing arrests of his supporters, calling them politically motivated attempts to stifle dissent and silence opposition ahead of Uganda’s 2026 elections.
President Yoweri Museveni addresses the UPDF High Command at State House Entebbe on May 6, 2025, where he warned against political intimidation and signaled a possible ban on the opposition NUP, citing concerns over alleged militancy and undisciplined activism ahead of Uganda’s 2026 elections.
Uganda mulls banning Bobi Wine’s NUP over “militant” activity. Arrests, threats, and political tension rise ahead of 2026 elections.
While a ban on NUP hasn’t been formally announced, senior sources in the Ministry of Internal Affairs confirm that Section 56(2) of the Penal Code Act is under review. This is the same clause used in 2012 to outlaw Activists for Change (A4C)—a move made under former Attorney General Peter Nyombi.
If history repeats itself, Uganda may use the same legal precedent to target Bobi Wine and his supporters.
Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, addressed the arrests and looming party ban in a May 9, 2025 press briefing:
“They are trying to criminalize political activism. These trumped-up charges are meant to intimidate us into silence.”
He reaffirmed NUP’s commitment to peaceful resistance, calling the charges against party members fabricated and politically motivated.
Authoritarianism or Pre-Election Strategy?
Analysts are divided:
Rights groups say Uganda is sliding further into authoritarianism.
Government insiders argue these moves are necessary to prevent unrest.
Either way, the implications are significant. Uganda’s foreign donors, investors, and civil society groups are watching closely to see whether the country protects democratic space or continues to suppress dissent ahead of 2026.
