Bobi Wine presses EU to act on Uganda’s human rights violations
NUP President Robert 'Bobi Wine' Kyaluganyi revealed that the party raised their concerns about gross human rights violations with the representatives, citing the recent abduction of his bodyguard Edward Ssebuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, on April 26 in Mukono District.
Uganda's National Unity Platform (NUP) has urged the European Union mission in Kampala to pressure President Yoweri Museveni's government to address and take responsibility for human rights violations in the country.
Addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with the EU delegation in Kampala on Monday, NUP President Robert 'Bobi Wine' Kyaluganyi revealed that the party raised their concerns about gross human rights violations with the representatives, citing the recent abduction of his bodyguard Edward Ssebuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, on April 26 in Mukono District.
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Ssebuufu went missing at Kiwango village on April 27, with his whereabouts largely remaining unknown until President Yoweri Museveni's son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, said he was detaining him in his basement. He was later charged with robbery, assault and malicious damage to property.
"Though the discussion was about our preparation for the general elections, we focused mainly on the issue of human rights violations. We took the opportunity to also raise our concerns about the seeming hobnobbing of the diplomats with a clearly brutal person that is [President] Museveni's son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba," said Kyaluganyi.
"I took the opportunity to also raise the plight of our brother Edward Ssebufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, who is rotting away in jail. There is a need to save his life and ensure he gets urgent specialised treatment."
Jan Sadek, the EU Ambassador in Uganda, subsequently appealed to the ruling regime to respect democracy and constitutionalism ahead of the upcoming polls in which Kyagulanyi is seeking to succeed Museveni.
"With NUP leadership, we discussed the status of affairs in Uganda and how this will affect the elections next year. We have seen this year that there has been some violence in the recently concluded Kawempe North by-election, as well as lately kind of interventions by the security forces against team members of the NUP president," Mr Sadek said.
At the EU Day celebrations in Kololo, Sadek also criticised Ugandan security forces for using excessive force against members of the opposition. He also insisted that the EU supports multilateralism and the rule of law.
"Over the past months, we have followed developments with concern. We have observed extra-judicial actions by security forces; arbitrary detentions and degrading treatment of political opponents and journalists; and an alarming militarisation of the political sphere," he said.
"The use of military force against civilians, with apparent impunity, contradicts the principles of the rule of law."
While thanking human rights activists for their continued efforts, Sadek also stated that the cases of gross human rights violations in Uganda are painting Kampala in a negative light on the international scene.
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