NUP leadership school principal charged, remanded

The head of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) leadership training school in Kamwokya, Doreen Kaija, has been arraigned before the Kawempe Chief Magistrates Court at Kanyanya and charged with three offences.

The charges include operating an unregistered school, conducting unlawful military drills, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Kaija, 27, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Damalie Agumasiimwe on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. She denied the charges and was remanded until September 29, when the prosecution, led by chief state attorney Sharon Nambuya, will respond to her bail application.

Operating an unregistered school is contrary to section 41(a) of the Education (Pre-primary, Primary and Post-primary) Act, while unlawful drilling violates section 45(1)(a) of the Penal Code Act.

A first conviction for operating an unregistered school attracts a fine not exceeding twenty currency points, approximately sh400,000. Conviction for unlawful drilling carries a maximum seven-year jail term.

Kaija was arrested by security agencies on September 14, 2025, and joins ten other NUP supporters charged with unlawful military drills and conspiracy to commit a felony.

The others include Alex Waisswa Mufumbiro, Saudah Madaada, Calvin Tasi also known as Bobi Giant, Edwin Serunkuuma also known as Eddie King Kabenja, Sharif Lukenge, Yasin Nyanzi, Tonny Kaweesi, Edward Sebuufu also known as Eddie Mutwe, Achileo Kivumbi, and lawyer Abed Nasser Mudiobole.

The charges follow a viral video showing several NUP supporters dressed in military-style red attire during a parade at the party headquarters in Makerere Kavule on February 12, when party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, celebrated his 42nd birthday. Kyagulanyi was accompanied by his wife, Barbie Itungo, during the parade.

After the video went viral, the army warned NUP supporters against engaging in military-like activities, stating that participants would be prosecuted.

The video showed a group of men in red attire, including red berets, engaged in drills. The prosecution argued that the activity was unlawful due to a lack of permission from the relevant line minister. It also showed Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu, Kyagulanyi’s brother, commanding the parade. Nyanzi was later arrested and interrogated, revealing the names of several participants.

The prosecution alleges that the group and others still at large, on February 12 at NUP offices in Makerere-Kavule, Kawempe Division, attended an assembly aimed at training participants in military exercises, movements, and evolutions, contrary to section 45 of the Penal Code Act.

Section 45 provides that any person who trains or drills another in the use of arms or military exercises without the minister’s permission commits an offence and is liable to seven years’ imprisonment. Similarly, a person present at such an assembly without permission may be imprisoned for up to five years.