KAMPALA
The Uganda Police Force has invited the National Unity Platform (NUP) leadership for a meeting to discuss the activities of the opposition-run leadership school. The meeting, scheduled for Thursday at police headquarters, aims to ascertain the status of the school, its curriculum, and facilitators.
NUP Secretary General David Rubongoya has expressed skepticism about the police’s interest in the school, stating that it is not the police’s business to regulate lawful internal activities of political parties. He also questioned the police’s motives, wondering if they would accuse NUP of training rebels or engaging in subversive activities.
“Hopefully, before long, they won’t say @NUP_Ug is training rebels or involved in subversive activities! One wonders what the director for training in Police has to do with a leadership school of a political party! We’ve not seen them pick interest in the trainings of other parties. Authoritarian regimes have always been very scared about any effort to educate the people!” Rubongoya posted on his X platform.
The leadership school, located at NUP’s old headquarters in Kamwokya, began its orientation for the first cohort of learners last week. The program focuses on the party’s values, principles, and goals, and does not offer a certificate program leading to a degree, contrary to previous reports.
The police’s invitation has sparked debate about the limits of police power and political party autonomy. They questioned why police has not summoned leadership of other political parties such as FDC and the ruling NRM who have been running leadership schools without police interferes. NUP leadership is expected to attend the meeting, but has expressed reservations about the police’s intentions.
