Uganda authorities have charged 36 members of the ‘FDC’ opposition party with “terrorism” after they were deported from neighbouring Kenya. Representatives have denounced the government’s actions as a “witch hunt”.
Uganda: a ‘witch hunt’ against the FDC
The members of the Forum for Democratic Change party (FDC) were arrested in Kenya. Ugandan authorities charged them with what lawyer Erias Lukwago called:
an absurd abuse of a judicial process to witch-hunt and torment opposition supporters.
Lukwago claimed that the FDC members had travelled to Kisumu, Kenya, to attend a training seminar.
The Ugandan police announced their arrests in a press release, saying, without giving further details, that they were:
engaged in covert activities suspected to be subversive, drawing the attention of Kenyan security forces.
According to Uganda police, the opposition members were handed over to the Ugandan authorities on 24 July.
According to Lukwago, the group, which includes three women, denied the charges.
The next hearing for the 36 members of the FDC is scheduled for 13 August. Lukwago says they could face life imprisonment
Museveni: running a ‘junta’ in Uganda
On X, former Uganda presidential candidate and opponent Kizza Besigye, ex-leader of the FDC, denounced the “junta” in power and claimed that the 36 people charged with terrorism::
were illegally detained and sneaked back from Kenya… The only purpose of this charge is to make it difficult for the accused to apply for bail, so that they’re locked away for months. The charge is just an extension of the physical torture they’ve endured so far.
During the day of 23rd July, 36 of our (FDC) colleagues travelled to Kisumu for a week-long leadership workshop.
They were dully cleared by Uganda immigration & security.A few hours later (during the night), their residences at Ukweri Catholic Pastoral Centre, Kisumu, were… pic.twitter.com/CcKhStO6vq
— Kifefe Kizza-Besigye (@kizzabesigye1) July 28, 2024
In a video posted online by the Daily Monitor, FDC supporters outside the Nakawa High Court, on the outskirts of Uganda’s capital Kampala, chanted:
We will win. (President Yoweri) Museveni will leave one day.
WATCH: A group of 36 supporters of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) – Katonga faction who were arrested in Kenya and subsequently deported to Uganda protest in Nakawa Chief Magistrate's Court as they chant 'We shall overcome, @KagutaMuseveni will go some day' after they… pic.twitter.com/frVXzC6Twu
— Daily Monitor (@DailyMonitor) July 29, 2024
The Ugandan authorities are regularly singled out for criticism by human rights organisations.
An abusive track record
During the last Uganda presidential election in 2021, which the opposition claimed was marred by fraud, demonstrations against yet another arrest of opponent Bobi Wine were violently repressed by the security forces, leaving at least 54 people dead.
Militant Uganda law enforcers have killed over 100 people since 2008. Last week, as the Canary previously reported about 60 people, including a prominent TV and radio presenter and three young protest leaders, were arrested and charged for taking part in anti-corruption rallies.
Inspired by widespread protests against the government in Kenya led largely by Gen-Z activists, Ugandans took to the streets of Kampala to demand action in the wake of several high-profile graft scandals.
Uganda has been ruled with an iron fist since 1986 by President Museveni who has overseen the Western corporate colonialist capture of natural resources and human rights abuses – including those of LGBTQ+ people.
Featured image via URN – screengrab
Additional reporting via Agence France-Presse
