State Names Fred Nyanzi as Witness in Case Against Mufumbiro, Eddie Mutwe and NUP Members

The State has lined up Fred Nyanzi Ssentamu, brother to National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, as a key witness in the unlawful drilling case against 21 NUP supporters.

NUP spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro is jointly charged alongside 20 others, including Edward Ssebufu, also known as Eddie Mutwe, the head of security for the party leader.

Other accused persons include Calvin Tasi (alias Bobi Giant), Achileo Kivumbi, Saudah Madaada (alias AIGP Madaada), Tonny Kawesi, Sharif Lukenge, Yasin Nyanzi, Doreen Kaija (Principal of the NUP School of Leadership), and Edwin Sserukuma (alias Eddy King Kabejja), among others.

The group faces charges of unlawful drilling and conspiracy to commit a felony, arising from allegations that they conducted unauthorized military-style training at the party offices in Makerere-Kavule in February 2025.

According to the prosecution, on February 12, 2025, the accused persons, together with others still at large, allegedly participated in a meeting at the NUP offices where they engaged in military-style drills, movements, and formations without authorization, contrary to Section 45(1)(b) of the Penal Code Act. Prosecutors argue that the gathering was not a political meeting but an illegal paramilitary training session.

The suspects have been on remand for over 10 months. Appearing before Chief Magistrate Doreen Ainembabazi, the prosecution informed court that it is ready to commence trial, which has been scheduled for May 15, 2026. The prosecution further indicated it will rely on at least two witnesses, including police officer Soma Armstrong and Fred Nyanzi, who serves as NUP’s head of mobilisation.

A week after the alleged drills, Nyanzi was reportedly arrested and later released.

Reacting to reports that he will testify in the case, Nyanzi dismissed the allegations, insisting that no unlawful military drilling ever took place.

“I have never recorded any statement before any authority regarding this matter. I was equally abducted, held incommunicado, tortured, and eventually dumped on the street on the basis of similar malicious charges,” Nyanzi said.

courts have the power to summon witnesses, such authority should be exercised in the interest of justice, not to facilitate what he described as political persecution.

“In the instant case, it is very clear that the objective of the State is not only to persecute leaders of NUP but also to cause disharmony, mistrust, and break cohesion within the organisation by maliciously compelling my attendance as a witness against my comrades,” he said.

Nyanzi further maintained that the case is based on falsehoods and will collapse.

“It is very clear that the State has no case against the comrades being taken through this charade of a trial at Kanyanya court. It should do the only right thing—withdraw the charges and set them free,” he said.