Tensions escalated on Uganda's 61st Independence Day as leaders of the National Unity Platform (NUP) strongly condemned the arrest of the party's spokesperson, Joel Ssenyonyi, and secretary-general, David Lewis Rubongoya, on Monday morning. The reasons behind their apprehension remain shrouded in uncertainty.
The NUP's headquarters in Kamwokya, Kampala, witnessed a heavy police and military presence on Monday, a prelude to the party's 'special prayer session' for missing party members. Mathias Mpuuga, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, expressed deep concern over the military siege of the party's headquarters and the arrests, decrying it as a reflection of a lack of democracy in the country.
"This occurring on a day when the country is supposedly celebrating its 61st Independence Day only goes to show that we are still under colonialism – only the colonisers' skin colour has changed," Mpuuga stated.
Dr. Daniel Kawuma, the NUP Diaspora team leader, underscored the disturbing lack of independence in Uganda, where political parties engaged in lawful activities find themselves targeted for arbitrary arrests and imprisonment.
On the day that was supposed to mark Uganda's "independence," police and military forces raided the NUP party headquarters, preventing the party leadership from addressing the nation.
Kawuma called for international intervention, urging Western nations, particularly the United States, to demand accountability and cease supporting the Museveni family regime.
"The West must not stand idly by while a regime oppresses the Ugandan people without regard for their constitutional rights, individual liberties, and democratic principles," he insisted.
Kawuma demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Rubongoya, Ssenyonyi, and all other unlawfully detained NUP supporters by the Museveni regime.
He compared the actions of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to those of historical oppressors.
"The NRM claimed to have liberated Ugandans in 1986, but their actions resemble those of our slave masters, abducting, torturing, and violating the rights of Ugandan citizens." He said.
He called upon both Ugandans and the international community to speak out against such blatant impunity, asserting.
"Silence is not an option when fundamental freedoms are trampled upon. We must unite to defend democracy, uphold the rule of law, and protect the rights and dignity of every Ugandan."
