NUP Polling Agent Hospitalized After Alleged Torture Following Arrest at Bulange (A) Polling Station

Two polling agents from the National Unity Platform (NUP) and one from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) were reportedly arrested on Thursday at Bulange (A) Polling Station in Rubaga Division. Eyewitnesses said the three were forced into a police patrol vehicle, identified as Tara Cal 17, which is often linked to covert security operations. The arresting officers were described as plainclothes men wearing face masks.
The arrests followed a dispute at the polling station. According to witnesses, NUP and FDC agents had raised concerns about alleged ballot stuffing after receiving information from a whistleblower. They presented the matter to the presiding officer, who allegedly dismissed their complaint and instead ordered their arrest on grounds of obstruction. Their declaration forms were reportedly torn apart during the scuffle.
Those detained included NUP agents Migadde Awali, 20, and Ndawula Charles, along with FDC’s Kintu Hakim. Another NUP agent, Julius Mutebi, was also said to have been taken. The group was reportedly first taken to Old Kampala Police Station before being transferred to Wankulukuku Police Station.
By Saturday morning, only Migadde had resurfaced, reportedly because he was seriously injured. Witnesses said he was dropped at the gate of Kiruddu Hospital in the early hours by unidentified individuals driving a grey Toyota Sienta. Passersby reported that he appeared severely injured, with wounds consistent with torture. The whereabouts of the other detained agents remain unknown.
The incident has drawn comparisons to previous cases of opposition agents facing harassment during elections. A Reuters report dated Jan. 18, 2021, noted that at least 110 NUP polling agents had been arrested since the eve of that year’s general election. The report, citing the party spokesperson, also said a legislator had been beaten by security forces. A February 2021 briefing by Afran further claimed that around 600 NUP associates were arrested, with some senior officials forced into hiding and at least 2,000 staff members unaccounted for.