While the EU Smiles with Regime Enablers, Ugandans Suffer in Silence
By Alexander Luyima
Kampala, Uganda – The European Union’s recent meeting with General Salim Saleh—President Museveni’s brother and a key figure in Uganda’s repressive regime—has sparked outrage among citizens who endure daily brutality. The EU’s statement praising “constructive dialogue” on human rights and transitional justice rings hollow to those whose families have been disappeared, tortured, or evicted at gunpoint.
A Facade of Legitimacy for a Man of Impunity
General Saleh, officially titled Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation, is better known among Ugandans as a land grabber, war profiteer, and enabler of state violence. His participation in EU-backed discussions on justice is not just ironic—it’s an insult.
“How can a man who stole our land, displaced our people, and got rich from our suffering now sit with the EU to discuss human rights?” whispered a farmer from Amuru, too afraid to give his name. “If I speak openly, I will be arrested—or worse.”
Land grabbing under Saleh’s influence is well documented but rarely punished. From Lusanja’s violent evictions to Karamoja’s marble-rich territories, his acquisitions follow a pattern:
Nakaseke & Gulu: Thousands of acres seized from war-displaced families.
Owino & Kisenyi Markets: Mysterious fires precede forced evictions, with land handed to developers linked to the regime.
Karamoja: Vast marble deposits exported to China while locals remain impoverished.
“They took our land during the war. Now they sell our minerals abroad while we starve,” said a Karimojong elder, speaking anonymously.
The EU’s Dangerous Hypocrisy
While the EU claims to champion democracy, its engagement with Saleh undermines Ugandans fighting for justice.
Dr. Sarah Bireete, Executive Director of the Center for Constitutional Governance, stated:
“The EU cannot claim to support human rights while legitimizing architects of oppression. Dialogue without accountability is complicity.”
A former civil servant who fled Uganda after exposing corruption added:
“The regime watches these meetings closely. When the EU shakes hands with people like Saleh, it tells victims their suffering doesn’t matter.”
Voices from the Ground—Silenced but Not Broken
Many Ugandans refuse to speak publicly, fearing abduction or death. Yet their stories echo in hushed conversations:
A mother in Nakaseke: “Soldiers came at night. They burned our homes. Now Saleh’s factories stand where our village was.”
A youth activist in Kampala: “We are tired of empty promises. The EU is giving Museveni’s regime a lifeline.”
A lawyer representing evictees: “Courts rule in our favor, but the government ignores them. What good are EU statements if they won’t pressure enforcement?”
What the EU Must Do
If the EU truly stands for justice, it must:
1. Stop legitimizing oppressive figures like Saleh in diplomatic engagements.
2. Impose targeted sanctions on regime officials implicated in human rights abuses.
3. Amplify grassroots voices—not regime propaganda.
“We don’t need the EU to dine with our oppressors,” said a Kampala-based journalist. “We need them to listen to the people being crushed.”
Conclusion: Justice Is More Than a Photo-Op
Ugandans are not fooled by hollow diplomacy. The EU must choose: Will it stand with dictators or the oppressed?
Until then, its statements remain a slap in the face to every disappeared, tortured, and evicted Ugandan.
