Mimi Democracy, Elections, FDC, Human Rights, Militias, NRM, NUP, Police brutality, sexual abuse, Torture, Unlawful arrest, Women rights

Human Right Violation and Abuses: Arrests and Detention by Uganda and Police – Mukono district in Uganda

Reports of kidnaps, arrests, unlawful detentions, tortures, disappears of National Unity Platform (NUP) coordinators or opposition candidates going on in Mukono district, Uganda. These are few of the many cases being published by Freedom Uganda.

Articles 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:

1. Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.
2. Anyone who is arrested shall be informed, at the time of arrest, of the reasons for his arrest and shall be promptly informed of any charges against him.
3. Anyone arrested or detained on a criminal charge shall be brought promptly before a judge or other officer authorized by law to exercise judicial power and shall be entitled to trial within a reasonable time or to release. It shall not be the general rule that persons awaiting trial shall be detained in custody, but release may be subject to guarantees to appear for trial, at any other stage of the judicial proceedings, and, should occasion arise, for execution of the judgement.
4. Anyone who is deprived of his liberty by arrest or detention shall be entitled to take proceedings before a court, in order that that court may decide without delay on the lawfulness of his detention and order his release if the detention is not lawful.
5. Anyone who has been the victim of unlawful arrest or detention shall have an enforceable right to compensation.

  1. National Unity Platform coordinators from Katoogo Parish, Nama Sub-county in Mukono District detained at Mukono Police Station.

2. Arrested and detained below are Muhammad Kanata, Musa Male and Julius Kiberu. Others from the same area include Isma Ssenkubuge, Sula Kiwanuka, Juma Mukasa, Joseph Kyakuwa, Steven Ntulume, Gaz Kabanda, Ssemipjja, Musa Kajimu and Kharim. All kidnapped by security operatives in Uganda from the villages of Buntaba, Kabembe, Kisowera, Katoogo and Walusubi in Mukono District.

Mimi Democracy, Elections, FDC, Human Rights, Militias, NRM, NUP, Police brutality, sexual abuse, Torture, Unlawful arrest, Women rights

Human Right Violation and Abuses: Arrests and Detention by the Uganda Military and Police

Freedom Uganda reporting some of the many unlawfully arrested and abuse of human rights inflicted by Uganda Police, army and military on the people of Uganda.  On December 30, 2020, many of presidential campaign team for Presidential candidate Robert Sentamu Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine were arrested by the Uganda military and are held in various detention centers including military barracks. These are few pictures of the many Ugandans unlawfully arrested, kidnapped, detained, tortured, abused and some killed or their whereabouts unknown.

The right is enshrined in Articles 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:

1. Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.
2. Anyone who is arrested shall be informed, at the time of arrest, of the reasons for his arrest and shall be promptly informed of any charges against him.
3. Anyone arrested or detained on a criminal charge shall be brought promptly before a judge or other officer authorized by law to exercise judicial power and shall be entitled to trial within a reasonable time or to release. It shall not be the general rule that persons awaiting trial shall be detained in custody, but release may be subject to guarantees to appear for trial, at any other stage of the judicial proceedings, and, should occasion arise, for execution of the judgement.
4. Anyone who is deprived of his liberty by arrest or detention shall be entitled to take proceedings before a court, in order that that court may decide without delay on the lawfulness of his detention and order his release if the detention is not lawful.
5. Anyone who has been the victim of unlawful arrest or detention shall have an enforceable right to compensation.

patricia Democracy, Elections, FDC, Human Rights, Militias, NRM, NUP, Police brutality, Torture, Unlawful arrest, Women rights

BRIEF NUP COURT CASES UPDATE 1

The team of 13 comrades in Lira that was arrested in Kole District last month during #Bobi4President’s campaign in the District got cash bail today but towards evening when banks were already closing. Some of them, thus, got out of jail today but the last member of this team will have been released by end of tomorrow.

2. Sserunkuuma Johnbosco & 13 other supporters of NUP who were tried at Makindye Court Martial and remanded to Kitalya Prison 3 weeks ago for putting on #PeoplePower attire were not returned to Court today. Court Martial officials gave no reason for this but simply stated that their Court will neither sit today nor tomorrow. They proceeded to chase of relatives and lawyers who had gone to represent the suspects. NUP lawyers have embarked on the necessary legal steps to arrest this brazen travesty of justice.

3. The 100+ members of our President’s campaign team who were arrested in Kalangala last week have been granted cash bail of UGX 200K each today by Court in Masaka. They were charged with inciting violence; obstruction of Police officers on duty; and committing negligent acts likely to spread an infectious disease (Covid-19), among other charges.

However, 4 of these including Eddie Mutwe, Kafuko Stanley and Kampala Lookman have been further remanded to Prison until 19th January 2021 after they were read an additional 6 charges related to alleged destruction of police property and assault of police officers, among others. Needless to say that all these are politically-motivated charges preferred against our comrades with the aim of criminalising our President’s lawful campaign and intimidating his supporters.

By end of working hours today, NUP had paid bail fees for 50+ of the comrades, and will conclude the bail procedures for the rest of the comrades tomorrow.

NUP intends to obtain Production Warrants for comrades who have been remanded to Prison — including those whose bail applications were rejected — such that they may regain their freedom sooner than 19th.

patricia Democracy, Elections, FDC, Human Rights, NRM, Police brutality, sexual abuse, Torture, Uncategorized, Unlawful arrest, Women rights

Police Brutality: An upcoming MP speaks out.

No amount of words can express the anguish and pain of watching innocent Ugandans being gunned down just for letting their voices be heard. No conviction sentence can be long enough to pay for the crimes against humanity committed in such a short period – in broad day light.Fellow Ugandans, how long shall we stay silent? How many more must die before we all come out in unison to condemn and even demand the immediate arrest and prosecution of the Commander in Chief of such criminals? Where are you mothers of this land? Where are you fathers? Brothers and sisters, shall you stay in your confines of your comfort zones as more blood defiles our land?

I say again, this impunity must stop and there is no one to stop it but all of us – Ugandans who love our mother land.It makes one wonder, is it just for the love of power that you are killing your own ‘grandchildren’ or are you protecting what has become your cash-cow? We are aware that you and your mafias have robbed this country clean and have left we – your grandchildren with debt that even our own grandchildren may have to pay. Could this be the real reason you are murdering innocent blood?

Mr. Dictator Sir, I would like to remind you that 37 years ago, you claimed you were fighting for democracy for this country, have you totally lost your memory or were you simply fooling Ugandans? Today, you cannot stand seeing the love Ugandans have showed Hon. Kyagulanyi wherever he goes. How is it possible is the ‘democracy’ you fought for does not allow a Uganda to wave to his fans and supporters?

When you say, you will compensate those who have lost their lives, when you kill a man’s only son, is the money you are going to give going to raise sons for him so that his lineage will continue? Or will your peanuts be there to walk a girl down the aisle on her wedding day? Be informed that no amount of money can replace lives.

I know you are used to grazing cows and can pick and kill one for beef at any time you please, Ugandans are not cows that you can just slaughter and get away with it. The world is watching. The cameras are rolling. The pens are noting. You either stop this madness now and ask for amnesty while you still have a chance, or …………..!I call upon all those who haven’t spoken against this brutality to please come out and join the struggle to stop this slaughter. Do not wait until one of yours becomes a statistics. Speak up now.

I continue to thank Ugandans for coming out boldly and letting your voice be heard and those who have come out to condemn the bloodshed.

People Power. Our Power!

NYEKO DERRICKNUP FLAG BEARER – MP MAKINDYE EAST

patricia Democracy, Elections, FDC, NRM, NUP, Women rights

The right to political participation: An overview to women and power in Uganda

The right to political participation under international law, is deemed to be the basis for the realization and protection of other human rights. It gives citizens of a given society whether primitive or civilized to have the authority and power to define the destiny and management of the affairs of the society. The international legal framework under the core-human rights treaties and in particular Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights defines State obligations to ensure genuine enjoyment of the right without any discrimination. 

In Africa, the African Union has been clear since its establishment on the right of political participation understanding well that it is vital for each countries’ independence and economic sustainability. As such, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good governance of 2007 declared affirmatively under Article 2 that the principles of democracy, human rights and rule of law are fundamental principles of sustainable peace in the region and member states should adhere to ensure and promote free and fair political processes including the independence of the judiciary. 

However, despite the existing legal framework including the national constitutions of many of the African countries, women have not yet fully given the opportunity to participate in the decisions that affect their day to day lives. Countries like Uganda for example, despite the available data that the NRM government has increased the direct participation of women in the parliament and cabinet, there is less evidence that such numbers have influenced change and purely represented the ideas of women in their constituencies. There are questions related to whether such women representatives have the power to express their views and take decisions in their capacity without being coerced. Further, despite the national and international efforts for development, women in Uganda and especially those in rural areas are still prone to extreme poverty and violence which is a clear sign of a gender that is still denied the right to define their existence in society. 

Should economic empowerment be considered vital if we want to have effective political participation of women?