Bobi Wine pushes EU to act on Uganda’s rights abuses
He made the appeal during a private meeting with the EU mission in Kampala, followed by a media briefing on Monday.
Uganda’s opposition leader Robert Kyaluganyi, better known as Bobi Wine, has called on the European Union to take a firmer stance against what he described as continued human rights violations by President Yoweri Museveni’s government.
He made the appeal during a private meeting with the EU mission in Kampala, followed by a media briefing on Monday.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) president said the conversation with the EU delegation initially focused on preparations for the upcoming elections, but the party used the platform to highlight worsening human rights concerns, particularly the treatment of opposition figures.
"Though the discussion was about our preparation for the general elections, we focused mainly on the issue of human rights violations. We took the opportunity to also raise our concerns about the seeming hobnobbing of the diplomats with a clearly brutal person that is [President] Museveni's son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba," Kyaluganyi said.
He also raised alarm over the arrest and treatment of his bodyguard Edward Ssebuufu, widely known as Eddie Mutwe, who went missing after being abducted on April 26 in Mukono District.
His location remained unknown until Gen Muhoozi revealed he was being held in his basement. Mutwe was later charged with robbery, assault, and malicious damage to property.
“I took the opportunity to also raise the plight of our brother Edward Ssebufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, who is rotting away in jail. There is a need to save his life and ensure he gets urgent specialised treatment,” Kyaluganyi said.
The EU Ambassador to Uganda, Jan Sadek, echoed concerns about the political climate, urging the government to uphold democratic principles and constitutionalism as the country gears up for elections.
He made this call while also pointing to violent incidents that have recently marred opposition activity, including the Kawempe North by-election.
"With NUP leadership, we discussed the status of affairs in Uganda and how this will affect the elections next year. We have seen this year that there has been some violence in the recently concluded Kawempe North by-election, as well as lately kind of interventions by the security forces against team members of the NUP president," Sadek stated
Sadek also used the EU Day celebrations in Kololo to issue strong remarks against the government’s handling of political dissent.
He condemned the excessive use of force by Ugandan security forces, calling it incompatible with the rule of law.
"Over the past months, we have followed developments with concern. We have observed extra-judicial actions by security forces; arbitrary detentions and degrading treatment of political opponents and journalists; and an alarming militarisation of the political sphere," he stated.
He warned that such actions are damaging Uganda’s global image, noting that continued abuses may undermine the country’s standing in the international community.
