Gunmen Abduct Four NUP Election Committee Officials

Unknown gunmen dressed in civilian attire have reportedly abducted four members of the National Unity Platform (NUP) Election Management Committee. The individuals were reportedly kidnapped on the evening of February 18, 2025, as they were returning from a burial in Rakai District.

The abducted members, confirmed by NUP Secretary-General Lewis Rubongoya and party President Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi (alias Bobi Wine), include Mercy Walukamba, Alex Rovans Lwanyaga, Rahma Juma, and Eddie Kayabura. 

“Four members of the NUP Election Management Committee were abducted at gunpoint around Lungala, Mpigi, last night as they were returning from a burial in Rakai. Onlookers say several other comrades were also abducted violently and taken away in drones,” Bobi Wine stated.

This abduction follows the disappearance of NUP’s chief mobilizer, Fred Nyanzi, who was kidnapped two days prior and remains in detention at an undisclosed location. Police and military spokespeople have not responded to inquiries regarding the incidents. 

However, Bobi Wine confirmed that their legal team has been informed that the abducted members are being held incommunicado at the Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS), formerly known as the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), in Mbuya. 

“We’ve been told that the abducted NUP election management committee members are detained incommunicado at CMI Mbuya on the orders of Museveni’s son,” Bobi Wine said. He further linked the abductions to a recent threat made by General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of President Yoweri Museveni, who had promised to make NUP “weep.” 

Bobi Wine stated, “A few days ago, Gen. Museveni’s son promised to make NUP weep, and he is following through. But we can assure him and his father that they are not God. The people of Uganda will have the final laugh.” 

General Muhoozi has previously issued threats against both NUP and former personal doctor to President Museveni, Col. (rtd) Dr. Kizza Besigye, as well as Bobi Wine. These threats have now been presented as evidence in ongoing court proceedings. 

In a separate development, the military and police have heavily deployed around NUP’s headquarters at Makerere-Kavule. This follows plans for a joint opposition prayer session for Dr. Kizza Besigye and other political prisoners, scheduled for this afternoon. Police patrols, along with Toyota Hiace vehicles, commonly known as “drones,” have been stationed around the entrance and exit points of NUP headquarters. 

Security personnel, wearing uniforms from the Counter-Terrorism and Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT), as well as covert officers from the Directorate of Crime Intelligence (DCI) and Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS), are also present. Uniformed security personnel are stationed at strategic locations, and several others are patrolling the area. Among the opposition parties expected to attend the prayer session are ANT, FDC-Katonga faction, NUP, NEED, and UPC.