Nubian Li born Ali Buken, a musician-turned-politician and long-time ally of National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), was arrested on Monday shortly after submitting his nomination papers for the Nakawa Division mayoral race.
Police officers, who had been visibly stationed outside the Electoral Commission offices in Ntinda, swiftly took Nubian Li into police truck as he exited the premises.
He was driven away by heavily armed security personnel to an undisclosed location. Authorities have not yet provided any official explanation for his arrest.
Witnesses noted that Nubian Li appeared calm and composed as he arrived at the EC offices, exchanging greetings with officers and smiling as he walked in. However, upon exiting the building, he was immediately surrounded by security personnel. He did not resist arrest and was escorted into the front seat of a police patrol vehicle before being driven away.
His arrest follows a string of recent detentions targeting NUP members. Just a day earlier, Alex Mufumbiro was apprehended outside the Makindye Magistrate’s Court, while another NUP figure known as Bobi Giant was arrested in Katakwi.
Sources indicate that Mufumbiro and others are being questioned in connection to a military-style parade held months ago at the NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule.
The detentions have sparked concern among supporters and human rights advocates, who have called for transparency and fair treatment of opposition candidates during the nomination period.
The NUP has long accused security agencies of using arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances to suppress dissent, especially in the run-up to elections.
During the 2021 campaign season, numerous NUP supporters were allegedly abducted by unidentified armed personnel. While some were later released without charges, others remain unaccounted for.
Security agencies have repeatedly denied these allegations, insisting that all arrests are conducted in accordance with the law.
