The National Unity Platform (NUP) has taken a decisive step in its political strategy by organizing a major retreat in Gulu City, aimed at energizing its leadership in Northern Uganda. The event has drawn together party leaders from the Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja sub-regions under a central theme: resilience, unity, and the urgent need to safeguard electoral integrity.
Central to the retreat is the anticipated keynote address by NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, widely known as Bobi Wine. His arrival has generated a wave of enthusiasm, with supporters expecting a powerful message addressing the growing pressures faced by opposition members across the country.
Organizers emphasize that the retreat goes beyond speeches and formalities—it’s a moment of preparation and empowerment. According to NUP officials, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) continues to wield state institutions as tools to suppress dissent, with opposition supporters often subjected to threats, arrests, and harassment.
Bobi Wine is expected to challenge regional leaders to remain united and fearless, particularly in defending the integrity of future elections. He has consistently accused the government of manipulating electoral outcomes and believes that well-organized grassroots activism and vigilance are essential to ensuring the people’s will prevails.
A key focus of the retreat is equipping NUP leaders with the skills to mobilize communities, monitor electoral processes, and respond to irregularities. The party maintains that building a robust, informed base at the local level is critical to achieving genuine democratic change.
NUP leadership reiterates its commitment to what it terms the “liberation of Uganda,” asserting that only a peaceful but resolute citizen movement can counter the regime’s reliance on fear and coercion. Despite facing significant obstacles—including arrests, torture, and media restrictions—the party continues to expand, particularly in regions that feel marginalized by the current government.
As the retreat unfolds, political observers are paying close attention. Northern Uganda has historically been a sensitive and influential political region, and NUP’s engagement there could have far-reaching implications for Uganda’s political landscape.
Ultimately, the Gulu retreat is more than a strategic gathering—it sends a powerful signal. It underscores that the struggle for democracy endures, and that the people of Northern Uganda are prepared to play a defining role in shaping the nation’s future.
