The United Nations has expressed concern over the continued detention of political and civic actors in Uganda, urging the government to uphold the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.
In a statement issued by Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the global body said it is closely monitoring recent developments in Uganda and reiterated the country’s obligations under its Constitution and international human rights law.
“The Secretary-General is closely following recent developments in Uganda and notes with concern reports regarding the detention of political and civic actors, including cases in which the whereabouts of some individuals have not been clearly established.
He recalls that freedom of expression, including the independence of the media, as well as the rights to liberty and security of person, are enshrined in Uganda’s Constitution and its international human rights obligations. He encourages all stakeholders to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law,” the statement reads.
The statement comes amid a series of arrests of opposition politicians and civil society actors by the military.
Among those arrested in recent weeks are veteran politician Dr Miria Matembe, former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and civic activist Sarah Bireete.
The military has also maintained a security deployment at the premises of Nation Media Group Uganda, which houses NTV Uganda, the Daily Monitor, KFM, Dembe FM and other media outlets, disrupting their operations.
The developments have attracted growing concern from local and international human rights organisations over the state of civil liberties and media freedom in Uganda.
If the violation of human rights with impunity by the Military, under Gen MK has attracted growing concern from Local and International Human rights Organisations over the state of civil liberties and media freedom in Uganda; how far and for how long should the violation go on, before the international community acted with punitive measures?
In other words, instead of taking firm action against self-confessed human rights violators (crimes against humanity, the UN has resorted to the Book of Lamentation.
In the faces of gross and diabolic violation of human rights, especially in Africa and the Middle East, the UN has become a lame duck or a toothless barking dog. No wonder under Pres Trump the US, which is a major funder of the UN sees no reason to continue bankrolling the UN.
E.g., under the command of Gen MK, the SFC (UPDF) with an incessant incremental lion share budget has become a terrorist organization against the opposition. It masquerades, abducts using unmarked and numberless vans sic Drones, tortures and dump their victims in Gen MK’s basement and/or force disappears them victims or maliciously charge them with capital offense like murder and treason or misprision.
Lakwena, thanks.
For the UN, +40 years of ownership of Uganda by Rwandese Museveni who allows no opposition is a real democracy!
Is UN concerned about Dr Besigye…rotting in prison for opposing Rwandese Museveni?