Why NUP deputy spokesperson Waiswa was arrested

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Uganda Police on Monday, September 8, confirmed the arrest of National Unity Platform (NUP) deputy spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, who was whisked away by unidentified individuals travelling in a silver Noah, registration number UAK 368K.

Kampala Metropolitan Police (KMP) spokesperson Patrick Onyango said Waiswa was arrested by security agencies on charges similar to those faced by Edward Ssebufu alias Eddie Mutwe, Achileo Kivumbi and others, for participating in illegal parades and meetings.

“He has been arrested on the same charges like Edward Ssebufu alias Eddie Mutwe, Achileo Kivumbi and others. He will be presented to court either tomorrow or Wednesday,” Onyango said.

Mufumbiro was detained shortly after stepping out of court to attend other engagements.

Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition and party spokesperson, who witnessed the arrest, said, “as we proceeded with court at Kawempe Magistrates Court in the case of Mutwe, Kivumbi and Calvin Tasi (Bobi Giant), NUP’s deputy spokesperson Waiswa stepped out a few minutes ago to attend to other engagements away from court. On his way out, he has been violently grabbed and pushed by the military into a Noah, registration number UAK 368K, silver in colour, and taken to an unknown place.”

If charged, Waiswa will join Mutwe, Kivumbi, and other newly arraigned suspects, including Tasi, Edwin Serunkuuma alias Eddie King Kabenja, Sharif Lukenge, Yasin Nyanzi and Tonny Kaweesi, who appeared in court last Friday.

This is not the first time Waiswa has been targeted. In February, he narrowly escaped abduction, while NUP’s head of mobilisation, Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu, was seized by armed assailants.

Prosecution alleges that on February 12, 2025, the seven suspects, along with others still at large, participated in a meeting at the NUP offices in Makerere-Kavule. The meeting allegedly involved military-style drills, movements and formations conducted without authorisation, contrary to Section 45(1)(b) of the Penal Code Act.

On Monday, heavily armed security personnel escorted the suspects into court, barring family members from entering and creating tension outside. Inside, Chief state attorney Sharon Nambuya presented an amended charge sheet officially including the five new suspects.

Grade One Magistrate Damalie Assimwe read out four charges to the accused, including unlawful assembly and conspiracy to commit a felony. The prosecution argued that the Kavule gathering was not a political meeting but an unlawful paramilitary training session.

All seven suspects pleaded not guilty and immediately applied for bail, supported by relatives and friends prepared to stand surety. However, prosecutors said they were not ready to respond to the bail applications, citing a heavy caseload. They requested one month to conduct further investigations, trace other suspects and prepare affidavits.

NUP military parade

In February this year, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) issued a warning to NUP after the party organised a military parade that was widely condemned. Defence and Information Director Maj Gen Felix Kulayigye warned that NUP foot soldiers risked being court-martialled.

Among the critics was Lt Gen. Proscovia Nalweyiso, a senior military officer, who said the NUP supporters had committed an offence by acting like soldiers.

"They are committing an offence by acting as a military force. When we confront them, we treat them as if they are a military entity. There are certain behaviors expected in a country. In other places, they would have been rounded up, and you might have heard that about 50 people were killed," General Nalweyiso said.

On April 27, 2025, Mutwe was arrested by security operatives in Mukono district and held incommunicado for days before being presented in Masaka Magistrates Court on May 5, 2025, where he was charged.