NUP Condemns Human Rights Abuses and Corruption in Uganda

Kampala, Uganda – July 4, 2024

The National Unity Platform (NUP) today issued a strong condemnation of the worsening state of human rights in Uganda, highlighting cases of torture, sexual assault, and corruption within the government. In a press statement, NUP leaders addressed the media and public, detailing several critical issues and calling for urgent action.

Human Rights Violations

NUP reported the recent abduction and torture of Ronald Mayega, a party comrade who went missing three weeks ago and resurfaced a week later with severe wounds. “He was abducted, detained, and repeatedly tortured and raped by armed men,” NUP stated. Mayega made these assertions official at Nansana Police Station with the assistance of NUP lawyers.

Mayega is one of only four comrades released on bail by the court martial out of 32 political prisoners detained since May 2021. Another detainee, Olivia Lutaaya, remains in prison. NUP revealed that Mayega’s case of sodomy follows reports from at least three other male comrades who suffered similar assaults by men in military uniform at CMI. Numerous female comrades, including Marinos, have also reported being raped while in custody.

“The regime has weaponized sexual assault and sodomy as a means of torturing young opposition members,” NUP declared.

Detention of Anderson Burora

NUP also highlighted the case of Anderson Burora, former Assistant RCC of Lubaga, who was detained this week for allegedly spreading ‘malicious information’ against Madam Anita Among. Burora had been vocal about Among’s involvement in grand corruption at Parliament. Despite protests from his lawyers regarding the lack of proper charges, Burora was remanded to prison.

“Interestingly, a few months ago, Burora was mocking our tortured comrades, claiming they fabricated their stories for asylum. His situation should remind his colleagues in the NRM, and all of us, that there is no safe place in this sinking boat called Uganda,” NUP remarked.

Evictions in Lubigi and Elsewhere

The party expressed deep concern over NEMA’s recent evictions in Lubigi, claiming residents had settled there illegally. NUP condemned the inhumane treatment of the evictees, arguing that NEMA should have conducted the evictions in a humane manner, considering the dignity and financial status of the victims. NUP warned that similar operations planned for Kasokoso and Nabweru could lead to a crisis if not handled properly.

Corruption at Parliament

NUP addressed ongoing corruption scandals at Parliament, involving three regime MPs accused of seeking bribes from the Human Rights Commission in exchange for facilitating budget approval. The party noted that such audacity is unsurprising given previous instances of MPs pocketing public funds meant for critical projects like Lubowa Hospital and Covid-19 relief.

“We must understand it was not because he wanted to fight corruption that Museveni forced Parliament to reconsider the approved budget. He was simply angry that his own NRM MPs had stolen more public funds than him,” NUP stated.

NUP criticized the lack of independence and separation of powers among the three arms of government, illustrating this with incidents of MPs being abducted outside court and Parliament being forced to reconsider concluded matters. “There is no rule of law in this country,” NUP concluded.

NUP called upon the international community, human rights organizations, and justice advocates to join in condemning these actions and to pressure the Ugandan government to uphold constitutional rights and ensure fair judicial processes.