A tense situation unfolded in Lira City on Tuesday night after police officers and plain-clothed security operatives reportedly raided a hotel where the National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential Candidate Bobi Wine born Robert Kyaguanyi Ssentamu and his campaign team were staying.
The operation, said to have been led by a police officer identified as Moses Mukiibi, occurred amid Bobi Wine ‘s ongoing Northern Uganda mobilization tour as part of efforts to strengthen NUP’s grassroots presence ahead of the 2026 general elections.
In a statement shared on his official social media accounts, Bobi Wine claimed that regime-aligned officers broke into the hotel, arrested the receptionist, and began moving from room to room in search of him and his colleagues.
“This is happening right now in Lira. Police have broken into the hotel we are residing in. The receptionist has been arrested. They’re going room by room,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The Uganda Police Force and local authorities in Lira had not issued an official statement by press time. However, similar incidents have occurred during NUP’s previous mobilization drives, which have often been met with heavy police presence and, at times, violent clashes.
Party sources told reporters that about 15 NUP members were earlier arrested, and one of the vehicles in Kyagulanyi’s convoy commonly referred to as a “drone” was impounded.
They added that the operation appeared to target members of Bobi Wine’s advance campaign team rather than the opposition leader himself.
According to NUP campaign officials, the team had initially planned to spend the night in Soroti but was forced to return to Lira after heavy rains rendered roads in Alebtong and Otuke impassable. They were preparing to continue to Abim and Kotido for upcoming rallies.
The alleged raid has sparked outrage among opposition supporters, who see it as part of a broader pattern of intimidation against dissenting voices. Human rights organizations have also urged authorities to respect political freedoms and ensure fair treatment of all political actors.
Authorities are yet to issue an official comment as investigations into the incident continue.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
