Thirteen National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters have been remanded by the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court following their arrest on May 4 in Nyendo, where police broke up a football match organized by Nyendo–Mukungwe parliamentary hopeful, Mr. Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira.
Appearing before Magistrate Simon Toloko, the group was charged with aggravated robbery and causing grievous bodily harm to a police officer. Prosecutor Mariam Njuki alleged that suspects Emma Mutima, Godfrey Kiweewa, Godfrey Nuwamanya, and Patrick Tamale assaulted Detective Constable David Kisame, stealing his mobile phone worth Shs100,000 and another Shs100,000 in cash.
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Additional accused include Patrick Kakeeto, Yiga Peter, Dennis Ssengozi, Jacob Kayondo, Lawrence Mujuzi, Ezera Kakiga, Ivan Musania, Fred Ssebale, and Reagan Sseremba. The incident is said to have occurred at Kasana playground in Nyendo-Mukungwe Division during the disputed football event.
Police halted the match using live bullets and tear gas, arguing that the NUP-aligned organizers lacked the necessary authorization. Several arrests followed the disruption.
NUP, led by Robert Kyagulanyi, who plans to run against President Museveni again in 2026, condemned the arrests. Defense lawyer Magellan Kazibwe told the court his clients were tortured while in detention, held for over four days, and are in urgent need of medical care. One detainee said police worsened a pre-existing arm injury during his arrest.
Kazibwe also asked the court to fast-track the investigations and criticized the charges, claiming many of the accused were not at the scene. One suspect with hearing and speech impairment was reportedly taken from his home and charged under unclear circumstances, according to his mother.
Prosecutor Njuki was unable to provide a timeline for the completion of investigations. The court adjourned the matter to May 20, 2025, for further mention.
This development follows the recent remand of Robert Kyagulanyi’s bodyguard, Edward Ssebufu (also known as Eddie Mutwe), who was allegedly tortured during a week-long military detention. He was also charged with robbery and assault.
His abduction by Special Forces Command (SFC) soldiers and later admission by CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba—who posted on X that Ssebufu was made to salute President Museveni’s photo daily and learn Runyankore—sparked outrage.
NUP leaders argue that these repeated arrests of their members, especially around election cycles, are politically motivated attempts to weaken their challenge to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
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