Ezra Twino, Political Correspondent
KAMPALA : A former leader in Uganda’s leading opposition party National Unity Platform (NUP) says he was attacked and robbed by a mob of party diehards (foot soldiers) at the party’s Makerere Kavule based headquarters on Tuesday — four days after he formally announced he had quit the party.
Kato Kawesa Misayiri, 36, the former LCIII Councillor for Bwaise II Parish and NUP Kunga mobilization chairperson for Nakamiro Zone, told the East Africa Observer that he had returned to NUP HQ to “hand over party property” when the assault occurred.
“I went to take a letter to the Secretary General stating my official resignation,” Misayiri said Wednesday. “They beat me, tore my clothes, and took money and a small phone. I’m in pain.”
RESIGNED, THEN ATTACKED:
In a resignation letter dated April 12, 2026, addressed to NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya, Misayiri withdrew his membership citing the party’s “failure to control members and supporters from attacking fellow supporters” after Uganda’s January 2026 general elections.
“I had resigned, but procedure requires physical handover of items,” he said. “They refused to let me see the SG. Instead, they attacked me.”
He says the group stole his NUP membership card, School of Leadership certificate, red shirt, scarf, beret, UGX 150,000 cash, and a mobile phone.
“I know most of them by face, 16 plus,” Misayiri said. “There was a Simba FM journalist there recording everything.” East Africa Observer could not independently verify the footage by press time.
Police File Opened:
Wandegeya Police Station opened SD REF: 45/16/04/2026 for assault and theft. A handwritten station diary extract seen by this newspaper lists the suspects as “Known by face”.
Kampala Metropolitan Police had not issued a formal comment by Wednesday evening.
“Take Him To The Torture Lady”
Misayiri alleges that during the beating, one man said in Luganda: “Tumutwale eri kukalina ndowoza Jebatulugunyiza” “Let’s take him to the lady we torture people with.”
He declined to name the woman referenced, citing safety concerns.
The allegation echoes documented patterns of intimidation in Uganda’s opposition politics, where defectors have reported threats and violence. Human Rights Watch and local monitors flagged a rise in intra-party and state-linked attacks following the January 2026 polls.
NUP’S SILENCE IS LOUD:
NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya had not responded to calls and messages seeking comment on the allegations by publication time. The party has previously condemned political violence but faced criticism over the hooliganism of it’s members.
WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE:
Misayiri says he was treated at a Kampala clinic after reporting to police. “Bampisiza bubi nyooo era numwa,” he said. “They’ve treated me very badly and I’m in pain.”
He insists “many witnesses” were present during what he called “hooliganism” at the party office.
REGIONAL STAKES:
The incident highlights deepening fractures within Uganda’s largest opposition party as the country navigates the post-election period. NUP, led by Robert Kyagulanyi, remains under scrutiny from regional observers over internal democracy and the safety of dissenting members.