Security forces, including police and the UPDF, cordoned off the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) headquarters on Katonga Road on Friday and blocked Juma prayers organized for political prisoners. By 11:00 am, a joint team of Field Force Unit personnel, anti-riot police and Military Police had sealed off Katonga Road and Kagera Road leading to the PFF headquarters in Nakasero, blocking Juma prayers for political prisoners that were scheduled to start at midday.
According to PFF Vice President for the Buganda Region, Dr. Lulume Bayiga, they were shocked to find the police and other security at their offices. He said they blocked and restricted all access roads to the headquarters. Because of the situation, Dr. Lulume said that they had to call off the prayers, citing fears that the government intends to harm innocent worshippers.
“All roads leading to the PFF offices from Katonga and Kagera have been closed. We tried to talk to them, but they are not telling us why the roads were closed, and no one inside the offices is being allowed to get out,” Lulume said. He said they had decided to hold Juma prayers as is customary in the Muslim faith, and for the PFF they had invited Muslim clerics to join them, and they have now asked them not to come.
“We condemn the escalating human rights violations in this country being perpetrated by this regime. This is the second time President Museveni’s security forces have blocked people from praying for prisoners. The first was in Rubaga, when President Museveni reportedly called the archbishop and instructed him not to allow prayers for Dr. Kiiza Besigye at Broadway Light,” Lulume said.
He added: “I call upon our people not to go to Katonga. These heavily armed personnel have cordoned off our offices without telling us why. People who do that are capable of anything. Let everyone go to their mosque and pray individually,” Lulume said.
As of press time, security personnel remained deployed around the PFF offices. Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Rachel Kawala said the police would issue a statement regarding the deployment and the suspension of prayers in due course.
This is not the first-time prayers for Dr. Kizza Besigye have been blocked. In February 2026, a prayer mass planned for him at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Rubaga in Kampala was cancelled after President Yoweri Museveni personally called Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere.
The President said intelligence agencies needed to investigate the purpose of the gathering. Despite no clergy presiding, Dr. Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, and supporters still gathered at the cathedral to pray-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
