By Former political prisoner and National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter Olivia Lutaaya was on Tuesday charged with unlawful drilling and added to an existing case file against a group of party members accused of staging military-style drills at the NUP headquarters in Kampala.
The court was told Lutaaya was produced alongside more than 10 other suspects already facing similar counts linked to a parade at the Makerere–Kavule party offices held on February 12, 2025, an event that formed part of celebrations for NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi’s 43rd birthday. Lutaaya was remanded to November 18, 2025, when she will appear with her co-accused.
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Among those already on the docket are NUP deputy spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, Kampala Central Woman Lord Councillor aspirant Saudah Madaada, party school coordinator Doreen Kaija, and close allies of Kyagulanyi including Edward Ssebuufu (alias Eddie Mutwe) and Achileo Kivumbi, several of whom remain on remand.
Prosecutors accuse the group of conducting “unlawful military drilling” and of conspiring to commit a felony under Section 45 of the Penal Code Act charges that first drew public attention when several party members were arrested in September and subsequently denied bail.
The matter has added fresh momentum to a broader crackdown on NUP supporters that began in 2023 and intensified through 2024–2025, with multiple arrests and prosecutions on related security-type offences. Observers say the latest arrests underline continued tensions between security agencies and the opposition.
Magistrates handling the file have previously cited ongoing investigations and the need to verify documents as reasons for remands and adjournments. Defence lawyers have repeatedly argued for the release of their clients on bail, but courts have on several occasions denied applications, citing the nature of the charges and other pending matters.
Police and prosecution say the drilling amounted to an unauthorised military-style assembly and that the suspects acted without the requisite ministerial approvals; the accused maintain their innocence and say the gatherings were political activities and party mobilisation.
The case remains in the Kawempe Chief Magistrate’s Court (and related matters have been handled across different magistrates’ courts), with next hearing dates set to bring Lutaaya and others back before the bench on November 18. Authorities say investigations continue.
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