NUP Supporters Remanded in Lira Central Prison on Theft and Malicious Damage Charges as Party Faces New UGX 820,000 Debt Lawsuit
By Okidi Patrick
LIRA CITY, UGANDA – October 30, 2025 – The National Unity Platform (NUP) party is grappling with fresh legal and financial troubles in Lira City after ten of its supporters were remanded to Lira Central Prison on Thursday. The remand follows charges of malicious damage to a police vehicle and theft.
This development coincides with the opposition party facing a looming civil lawsuit from a local hotel owner called Awio Isaac who allegedly claims NUP supporters accrued and subsequently fled without paying an UGX 820,000 debt for accommodation and meals.
Ten Supporters Remanded Over Police Vehicle Incident
The ten individuals appeared before Lira Magistrate Jane Tibagonzeka on Thursday, October 30, 2025, and entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.
The accused remanded are:
Lubega Alison
Lokoro Liberty
Nakabuye Mastura
Waiswa Raston
Nasozi Hope
Saliman Kagwa
Bukenya Ismail
Kamulegeya Regan
Katamba Stephen
Ssembusi Precious Paul
According to the prosecution, the alleged incident took place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Obot A Village, along the Aloi Road in Bar Sub County, Lira District. The suspects are accused of willfully damaging a police vehicle with registration number UP-4816.
According to prosecution, the charge sheet alleges the suspects stole several items from the vehicle, including a laptop, a bag of clothes, and 20 liters of diesel. The total estimated value of the stolen property is UGX 1,892,000.
The prosecution informed the court that authorities are still searching for other suspects connected to the case, identifying Geoffrey Unzima Aka Tawa as the main individual at large.
Magistrate Tibagonzeka ruled that the ten accused be held in remand until November 12, 2025, when their case file will be mentioned again.
Hotelier Awio Isaac to Sue NUP Over Unpaid Bill
In a separate but related incident highlighting the party’s financial obligations in the region, Awio Isaac, a local hotelier and scrap dealer, has announced his intention to sue the National Unity Platform party headquarters over an alleged unpaid bill totaling UGX 820,000.
Awio, the proprietor of Heaven’s Hotel, located in Obutuwelo cell, Lira City West Division, claims that NUP supporters ran up the debt for accommodation and meals over close to four days.
Awio Isaac vehemently accused the “rowdy youth” of escaping his establishment without settling the financial obligations.
“When I contacted them, they accused me, Awio Isaac, of being an NRM spy on them and rejected to pay me by escaping with my money for accommodation and meal amounting to 820,000,” Awio stated.
Determined to recoup his losses, Awio declared, “I want to sue NUP party for a debt of 820,000 shillings. I am in the process of drafting a letter of intention to sue with my lawyer.” Awio is reportedly assembling a team of lawyers to pursue the case legally and immediately.
