Uganda’s Political Prisoners Deserve Justice, Not Exploitation

The ongoing persecution of political activists in Uganda is a painful reminder of the state’s systematic abuse of power. Our comrades, including prominent figures like Bobi Young, Achileo Kivumbi, and many others, have become prisoners of conscience, detained not for any crimes but for their political beliefs. Their long, unjust detention without trial is a direct violation of basic human rights, and it is clear that the state is exploiting their desperation to break their will.

In February 2023, comrade Sanya Muhydin bravely protested against this very injustice, making it clear that these individuals are being persecuted simply because they dared to oppose the regime. This regime, like so many others that have come before it, fears dissent because dissent exposes the cracks in its foundation. The prolonged detention of these political prisoners is not about justice or law enforcement—it is about silencing opposition and sending a message to those who might dare to speak out.

The Ugandan government’s tactics are deeply disturbing. The use of military courts to prosecute civilians, the denial of bail, and the indefinite detentions are nothing more than tools of repression. These are the hallmarks of a government that is desperate to cling to power by any means necessary, even if it means trampling on the very principles of justice and democracy.

But, as Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” Despite the state’s relentless efforts to crush political opposition, history has shown us time and again that justice eventually prevails. The struggles of these political prisoners are not in vain. Their courage in the face of repression inspires others to stand up against tyranny, and their sacrifices will not be forgotten.

One day, the people of Uganda will have the last laugh against this repression. The truth cannot be silenced forever. Movements for justice may be met with violence, imprisonment, and intimidation, but they do not die. They grow stronger, fueled by the courage of those who refuse to be silenced. Uganda’s political prisoners are the embodiment of this struggle, and their resilience is a testament to the spirit of freedom that no regime can permanently extinguish.

It is time for Ugandans and the international community to unite in demanding an end to these injustices. The campaign to #StopAbuseOfPowerUG must continue with even greater urgency. We must hold those in power accountable and ensure that the voices of the oppressed are not drowned out by the machinery of tyranny.

Uganda’s long road to justice may be fraught with hardship, but like all movements rooted in truth and righteousness, it will eventually prevail. These prisoners of conscience may be behind bars today, but their fight for a free Uganda remains alive and unstoppable.