Africa-Press – Uganda. National Unity Platform (NUP) Treasurer General Benjamin Katana has strongly rejected recent allegations by state security agencies accusing the party of subversion, sabotage, and attempts to incite armed rebellion.
He described the claims as “false, fabricated, and politically motivated.”
In a televised interview on Friday evening, Katana accused the government of deploying familiar scare tactics to instill fear and discredit opposition ahead of the 2026 general elections.
“This is not new. In every election cycle, the regime manufactures stories of rebellion to prepare the population for state-sponsored violence against its opponents,” Katana said.
“These are clear fabrications meant to justify repression under the guise of national security.”
Last week, security agencies claimed they had uncovered plots linked to NUP sympathisers aimed at destabilising the country, though details remain vague.
Katana said the timing and tone of these statements were deliberately chosen to malign NUP and stifle political competition.
“They want to tarnish our party’s image and use these accusations to violate the rights of our members and supporters. But we are not shaken,” he asserted.
He drew historical parallels with the 1970s regime of Idi Amin, which made similar subversion claims before violent crackdowns.
“Remember, Amin’s regime accused the archbishop of subversion before taking his life. This is the same dangerous path we are being dragged back to,” Katana warned.
Urging security forces to stay loyal to the country rather than to those in power, he said, “Nations are not built by crushing people who disagree with you. The army and police must reflect deeply and recognise that their duty is to the country — not to preserve a regime.”
Katana further cautioned that Uganda’s history shows security forces that turn against the people eventually become isolated.
“We have had a history where soldiers look for places to hide their uniforms when they are fleeing because they have become enemies of the people. We must never return to that history as it carries grave consequences,” he said.
Emphasising that ideas cannot be killed, Katana said, “They are wrong to think that crushing people will end our struggle. NUP is not about individuals — it’s a vision for a free and just Uganda.”
The government has yet to provide concrete evidence to back its allegations.
Meanwhile, rights groups have raised concerns over escalating political repression and the shrinking space for dissent in Uganda.
With tensions rising, observers say the coming months will test Uganda’s commitment to democratic norms, the rule of law, and peaceful political engagement.
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