Who attacked NUP offices, beat up landlord in Yumbe?

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The National Unity Platform (NUP) office in Barakala town council, Aringa East constituency in Yumbe district, has allegedly been raided by a joint security forces team.

It's alleged that, the uniformed, armed personnel on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, night, destroyed the posters and banners of NUP presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi and Aringa East MP aspirant Isaq Olega found in the office, took away other office documents such as visitors book, membership list among other items. 

According to Hakim Ombele, the chairperson NUP for Aringa East constituency, also an eye witness, the incident started at about 11:00pm when some unknown people, dressed in black clothes began following him while coming from Barakala trading centre.

He alleged that, despite successfully dodging them on the highway to his home, they managed to follow him up to his home, about 200 metres away from the office.

Ombele also alleges that, the officers tried to call him by name, asking him to open the door but he refused until they used force, destroying the door to his house.

"At about 11:30pm, I heard someone calling me from outside. Since I had seen people following me earlier, I refused to open the door.

He alleged that, at first he decided to hide behind a curtain but when he saw his wife being tortured by the armed people, he decided to come out.

He said, the armed personnel grabbed him by the trouser and dragged him up the office to open its doors.

Ombele said, he still refused to offer the keys and the officers allegedly used some tools to break into the office.

Ombele further alleged that, when his father attempted to come to inquire why he is being held custody, the armed individuals turned their guns on him and started beating him up, stepping on his chest and hitting the head on the ground.

Swail Onduga, Hakim Ombele's father touching his chest allegedly stepped on by the attackers. (Photo by Adam Gule)

He said, upon successfully accomplishing the mission, the officers jumped into two numberless vehicles.

"The vehicles used were all numberless but I managed to identify them. One of the vehicle was a new Police van and the other for the army."

Ombele's father, Swail Onduga urged the Government to investigate the incident.

Yumbe NUP secretary general Nadia Yusuf condemned the incident and decried intimidation of NUP supporters and candidates in the district.

She said, they reported the matter to the Yumbe Police under the SD Yumbe CPS57/15/10/2025.

She called on the party president Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, who is also a Presidential candidate, to consult with the legal team to pursue the matter.

When contacted, the Police spokesperson for Northwest Nile region Collins Asea said, he had inquired from the OC CID Yumbe Central Police Station, but no information had been provided yet. 

Similarly, Yumbe Resident District Commissioner Hajji Sulaiman Lubwama Bukya declined knowledge about the incident.

He requested time to consult with the security operatives before offering a comment.

In Yumbe district, NUP has fronted over 20 individuals to vie for various positions including seats for councillors and LC3 chairpersons for the 2026 General Election.