New York, USA —
In a dramatic turn of events, Uganda’s Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja was forced to flee from an underground train to her hotel room in an attempt to evade detection by a group of angry protesters. These demonstrators, who are supporters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), stormed the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday to protest against ongoing human rights violations in Uganda.
The protesters, primarily Ugandans in the diaspora, gathered outside the UN building demanding that the international community take action against President Yoweri Museveni’s government for its continued suppression of opposition members and citizens. With placards reading “Stop Human Rights Violations” and “Museveni Must Go,” the protestors aimed to draw global attention to what they described as a systematic erosion of democracy and rule of law in Uganda.
According to sources within Nabbanja’s delegation, the Prime Minister was on her way to the UN building for a scheduled meeting when she was alerted about the escalating protest. Fearing for her safety, Nabbanja reportedly donned a masculine disguise, including a baggy shirt and baseball cap, before being hurriedly escorted out through the building’s basement.
She was rushed into an underground train to avoid confrontation with the demonstrators, who had learned of her presence and were actively searching for her. Nabbanja’s security team later confirmed that she made it safely to her hotel room, where she remained in seclusion for the rest of the day.
The incident highlights the growing tension between Uganda’s government and NUP supporters, particularly those in the diaspora. Many of them have been vocal critics of Nabbanja’s role in what they describe as the government’s deliberate efforts to silence opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, better known as Bobi Wine, and his supporters. Kyagulanyi, who has gained international recognition for his activism, has been a central figure in the struggle for democratic reforms in Uganda.
The protest in New York coincides with other demonstrations held by Ugandan diaspora communities in Canada, Europe, and Africa. These protests come in response to recent incidents back home, including the alleged attempted assassination of Kyagulanyi by Ugandan police and the continued harassment of NUP members.
The Nabbanja incident has drawn mixed reactions on social media. While some criticized the Prime Minister for evading public accountability, others sympathized with her security concerns in light of the rising political tensions.
It remains to be seen how this event will impact Uganda’s representation at the United Nations General Assembly, as well as its diplomatic relations with countries hosting the protestors. For now, Nabbanja’s escape underscores the serious challenges facing the Ugandan government amid growing discontent both within and outside the country.
This incident follows several months of increasing political unrest in Uganda, where human rights organizations have condemned the Museveni regime for clamping down on political opposition, restricting freedom of expression, and employing state security forces to intimidate citizens. The international community, while acknowledging Uganda’s role in regional security, has been called upon to more actively address these abuses.
As tensions continue to rise, NUP supporters and human rights advocates are urging the international bodies such as the UN to pressure Uganda into reforming its approach to governance and respecting the rights of its people.
CMP Publications will continue to monitor developments around this story and provide updates as they unfold.