• Emmanuel Maruda, manager of Nilerz Band, is reportedly in hiding after allegedly escaping an abduction and amid claims over his opposition mobilisation activities.
• Maruda reportedly urged Ugandans not to give in to fear, while calling for democracy and the protection of constitutional rights.
• Police and activists offer contrasting views on arrests, with authorities citing prevention of disorder while rights advocates raise concerns about democratic participation.

Nilerz Band manager Emmanuel Maruda escaped abduction again after the last abduction in October along Masaka road while heading to western Uganda to mobilize for NUP presidential candidate Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.

Maruda was tipped off the party’s intelligence to escape before the January Presidential Elections. Some of the major mobilizers of the National Unity Platform including the party spokesperson Waiswa Mufumbiro, vice president for central Muwanga Kivumbi were abducted and some later aligned in courts many with torture wounds.

Security authorities allege that Maruda has been actively mobilising for the opposition candidate, with his campaign activities extending beyond political circles into public spaces.

While reportedly in hiding, Maruda called on Ugandans not to give in to fear and to resist what he described as oppression by the government. He urged citizens to continue demanding democracy and defending their constitutional rights, saying arrests and intimidation should not deter them from the cause.

While Police say the arrests are carried out to prevent potential disorder, human rights and political activists have criticised the arrests, arguing that those arrested and detained are only exercising their constitutional rights.

The activists contend that the detentions could undermine democratic participation and the right of citizens to peacefully express their views.