The National Unity Platform (NUP) has reported the violent abduction of one of its key officials, escalating concerns over political intimidation ahead of upcoming elections.
NUP Secretary General David Rubongoya confirmed that Comrade Harriet Chemtai, Head of the party’s Election Management Committee, was taken from her home late Tuesday night.
According to family members, heavily armed men stormed her residence at around 11:00 pm, ordering her into a vehicle.
Attempts by local residents to intervene were met with gunfire, forcing them to retreat. Chemtai was reportedly driven towards Mbale, with her current location unknown.
Rubongoya warned that the incident is part of a growing pattern of targeting NUP leaders, particularly those involved in election organization.
“The number of NUP leaders who are either missing or detained keeps rising, especially those who had a role in managing elections,” he said in a statement on X.
Human rights groups have expressed alarm at the development, describing it as a dangerous precedent for political participation in Uganda.
This incident follows a series of detentions and reported disappearances of opposition members, highlighting what critics say is a pattern of intimidation ahead of the 2026 elections.
While security agencies have yet to comment, calls for Chemtai’s immediate release and assurances of her safety are mounting.
The NUP has vowed to continue its organizational work despite the threats, urging citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity targeting party officials.
The situation in Kapchorwa remains tense, with local communities on edge as authorities investigate the abduction.