Human Rights
Toronto : NUP Supporters Rally Against Human Rights Violations in Uganda
A group of national unity platform Supporters residing in Ontario gathered at the Ontario Parliament to submit a significant petition. This petition calls for the Canadian government to halt all forms of financial aid to the Ugandan government and to pressure international bodies to intensify efforts to compel Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to step down.
The petition underscores the pervasive corruption within the Ugandan government, singling out Anita Among, the Speaker of Parliament, who faces accusations of involvement in corrupt activities, including the theft of iron sheets. Organized by the National Unity Leadership group Toronto Chapter , the petition highlights the rampant impunity within Museveni’s regime.
Leading the assembly was Doreen Kajumba, a prominent human rights activist. While reading the petition, Kajumba urged the federal government of Canada to support Ugandans in their quest for fair, transparent, and inclusive elections in 2026. She also called upon the international community to investigate President Museveni’s role in perpetuating violence in the Eastern Congo region and to hold accountable all those responsible for destabilizing the area.
The petition outlines several critical demands for the international community to pressure Museveni’s government to:
- Protect Freedom of Expression: Urge the repeal of laws that restrict civil rights and liberties and ensure the freedom of expression for all Ugandans.
- Release Political Prisoners: Secure the release of political prisoners and address past disappearances, ensuring due process and justice in military trials.
- End Civilian Trials in Military Courts: Demand an end to the practice of trying civilians in military courts and ensure that legal trials adhere to international standards of fairness.
Additionally, the petition asks Canada to demand an end to the practice of trying civilians in military courts and to ensure that legal trials adhere to international standards of fairness.
The Ugandan community also presented the same petition to the US Embassy in Toronto, seeking similar support from the United States in advocating for democracy and human rights in Uganda.
The petitioners appealed to the Ontario government to stand in solidarity with Ugandans living in Ontario and Canada, advocating for their rights and supporting efforts to promote democracy and protect human rights in Uganda. They called for decisive action from the Canadian government to uphold these values.
This gathering and petition submission reflect the ongoing concerns of the Ugandan diaspora about the political and human rights situation in their home country, and their hope for international support in addressing these issues.
