NUP Stuns Ugandan Government with Secretly Built Eastern Regional Headquarters
Opposition Party Unveils Strategic Base After Year of Clandestine Construction
IGANGA, UGANDA – In a bold move that has reportedly left State House officials and security agencies reeling, the National Unity Platform (NUP) has successfully constructed and unveiled a massive regional headquarters in Iganga Town after keeping the project completely secret for more than a year. The surprise revelation marks a significant strategic victory for Uganda’s main opposition party as it expands its presence in a region traditionally considered a stronghold of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Covert Planning and Execution
The new Eastern Uganda Regional Headquarters, located in the heart of Busoga Sub-region, was officially unveiled on Monday in a ceremony led by NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi (popularly known as Bobi Wine), who was accompanied by senior party officials including Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi, Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, and Deputy President for the Eastern Region Linda Zedrig .
In a speech that drew cheers from supporters, Kyagulanyi revealed the extraordinary lengths the party had taken to keep the construction secret. “We purchased this land over a year ago, and started constructing our headquarters. I am thankful that up until this morning, nobody except those who needed to know, got to know that it was us building in that place,” he stated .
The NUP leader explained that the secrecy was a necessary precaution against expected state interference. “No wonder, the police showed up asking why we chose to surprise them with a visit. Well, because if they had known, they would have done everything possible to frustrate us” .
Strategic Political Expansion
The unveiling of the regional headquarters represents a significant strategic move by NUP to strengthen its presence in Eastern Uganda, where it currently has only two members of Parliament . The facility will serve as a command center for the party’s activities across the entire eastern region, coordinating mobilization efforts ahead of the 2026 general elections .
Table: Key Figures Present at Iganga Headquarters Unveiling
Name Position Role in Event
Robert Kyagulanyi NUP President Lead speaker and official unveiling
Barbie Itungo Wife of Bobi Wine Attended ceremony
Joel Ssenyonyi Leader of Opposition Addressed crowd
David Lewis Rubongoya Secretary General Explained strategic importance
Betty Nambooze NUP MP Supported mobilization efforts
Hillary Kiyaga NUP MP Attended ceremony
Political analysts note that the party is adopting increasingly covert methods to build its structures nationwide, often choosing secrecy over open mobilization to avoid government pushback . The successful completion of the Iganga project despite what the party describes as close state surveillance demonstrates NUP’s evolving approach to political organization under challenging circumstances.
Courtship of Disaffected NRM Figures
In a move that could significantly alter Uganda’s political landscape, Kyagulanyi used the unveiling ceremony to extend an olive branch to First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, who has recently expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling NRM party .
The NUP president described Kadaga as a respected leader and warmly welcomed the possibility of her joining the opposition party. “You call her Mama Busoga, I call her my Auntie. For us in NUP, we have no problem with her, and we warmly welcome her,” Kyagulanyi stated .
This invitation to the veteran politician represents a calculated attempt by NUP to exploit apparent fractures within the NRM and potentially attract prominent figures from the ruling party, particularly in traditionally loyal regions like Busoga where Kadaga wields significant influence .
Security Response and Crowd Reactions
The unveiling ceremony drew large and enthusiastic crowds, with supporters chanting party slogans and waving NUP flags in a display of growing support for the party in the region . The atmosphere was described as “electric” with palpable excitement and anticipation .
The massive turnout, however, led to tensions with security forces. As Kyagulanyi departed Iganga, crowds lined major roads to catch a glimpse of him, overwhelming security operatives who attempted to divert his convoy onto feeder roads .
Police’s Field Force Unit (FFU) eventually fired teargas to disperse chanting crowds and clear the way for smoother traffic flow. The groups reorganized at several points before being dispersed in Jinja City, after which Kyagulanyi proceeded safely towards Kampala .
Grassroots Impact and Local Reception
Local officials welcomed the new headquarters, noting its potential to decentralize party activities and boost NUP’s visibility in Eastern Uganda. Bamu Lulenzi, the Mayor of Iganga Municipality, stated that the facility would ease access to services such as membership cards and party materials without members having to travel to Kampala .
The office also serves as an inspiration to NUP’s largely youthful base. Phiona Nangobi, a party member, described the achievement as reflective of the party’s determination to progress despite challenges. She noted that such accomplishments motivate young people not only to engage in politics but also to invest in income-generating activities .
Table: NUP’s Regional Expansion Strategy
Region Current Status Strategic Importance
Eastern Uganda New headquarters in Iganga Challenge NRM in their stronghold
Central Uganda National HQ in Kavule Established presence
Western Uganda Planned expansion Target undecided voters
Northern Uganda Planned expansion Strengthen opposition base
Implications for Uganda’s Political Future
The successful secret construction and unveiling of the Eastern Uganda headquarters signals NUP’s growing sophistication in navigating what it perceives as state hostility toward opposition activities . By pulling off the Iganga project under the radar, the party has demonstrated its ability to expand in politically sensitive areas despite close monitoring by security agencies .
The move also underscores NUP’s commitment to addressing what it describes as historical marginalization of the Eastern region. The party has stated that the region has “for so long been marginalized by the current regime and deprived of a thriving economy that would sustain her people” .
In line with their manifesto, NUP envisions “an inclusive economic approach where resource allocation shall be decentralized to other regions so that they have a fair share of the national cake” . The new headquarters will serve as a base for promoting this vision and mobilizing what the party calls “change hungry citizens” .
Looking Ahead
As Uganda moves closer to the 2026 general elections, the unveiling of NUP’s Eastern Uganda headquarters represents a significant milestone in the party’s efforts to challenge NRM’s dominance not just in urban centers but also in rural areas across the country . The event showcased NUP’s growing influence and its strategic intent to attract prominent figures from other political parties, potentially shifting the balance of power in Ugandan politics .
The invitation extended to Rebecca Kadaga underscores this ambition and leaves observers waiting to see if this high-profile recruitment will materialize. What is clear is that the opening in Iganga signals that the fight for Uganda’s political future is intensifying, with NUP demonstrating newfound ability to organize even under apparent constraints .
As Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya stated, “This is not just an office – it is a base. It is a point of contact between the National Headquarters and the great people of Eastern Uganda” . The party’s ability to maintain complete secrecy about the project for over a year—”a sign of great trust and commitment to the cause” in Rubongoya’s words—suggests a level of discipline and organization that could pose an increasingly formidable challenge to the political status quo in Uganda .
