KAMPALA, April 28, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Uganda's opposition said on Monday that security forces had "sealed off" its headquarters in the capital Kampala to stop the party launching a protest campaign ahead of national polls next year.

Security forces have in recent years frequently targeted the opposition party of the National Unity Platform (NUP), led by musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine.

The east African country is preparing for a presidential election in January 2026, in which President Yoweri Museveni is expected to extend his 40-year rule.

"The joint security forces, police, and the military, all heavily armed, have sealed off our party headquarters and we can't access it," NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya told AFP.

"The deployment of security and sealing off of our headquarters is planned to block the press conference today where we were to launch the 'protest vote' campaign," he said.

The campaign was intended to call on all citizens -- but "especially the youths", according to the NUP -- to turn out to vote against the government, and then protect their democratic rights through demonstrations.

"Even if the partisan police and military block the campaign launch, we are going to use all available means to have a message reach to the population", Rubongoya added.

Police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke told AFP that officers had "taken a precautionary security measure and deployed at the NUP headquarters today".

He said that NUP's planned activity was "illegal", adding that the party had been told to "work within the confines of the law considering public safety". He did not give further details.

"We are not allowing any planned illegal activities by NUP for public safety reasons, and we call on them to comply with police," Rusoke added.

Security forces raided the NUP's headquarters in February, with the party alleging officers stole documents, computers and cash, in addition to planting listening devices and spy cameras.

The police did not return AFP's request for comment on the allegations.