In a parliamentary session held on Thursday, October 19, 2023, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, addressed concerns related to alleged human rights abuses and the diminishing civic space in the country. These allegations were directed at the Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen David Muhoozi.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa presided over the session and issued a directive, giving Minister Muhoozi a 30-day timeframe to provide a comprehensive response to the accusations put forth by Hon. Mpuuga.
The sequence of events leading to this directive began with a statement made by Minister Muhoozi on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. In response, Hon. Mpuuga delivered a statement during the parliamentary session, expressing his reservations about the Minister’s statement. He argued that it failed to address the purported widespread human rights abuses, the prevailing culture of impunity, the erosion of the rule of law, and the shrinking of civic space in the nation.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa emphasized his intention to mediate the situation, stating, “I am going to engage both sides. LoP, I would request that by tomorrow, you avail the Minister with this information, and then for us, we shall require the Minister to make a statement, in response with very clear details.”
Hon. Mpuuga vehemently rejected Minister Muhoozi’s statement, asserting that it appeared to be an attempt to legitimize repression and suppress political dissent within the country. He urged the parliamentary assembly to reject the Minister’s statement, given its perceived inadequacy.
During his address, Hon. Mpuuga demanded accountability regarding the alleged killing of 22 supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) during the 2021 campaign trail of the party’s president, Robert Kyagulanyi. He pointed out that the families of the victims were still grappling with grief, without any prospect of obtaining justice for the loss of their loved ones.
Additionally, he drew attention to the government’s failure to provide accountability and justice for 18 individuals who had been missing for nearly four years. These persons were reportedly apprehended by state security agencies, and their arrests and subsequent disappearances were well-documented by their families and friends. Hon. Mpuuga emphasized that only the state could clarify their whereabouts.
Over the past three years, Hon. Mpuuga highlighted the detention of several Ugandans without trial, which he characterized as a severe violation of human rights. He specifically mentioned the arrest of over 500 NUP supporters across different regions in 2021, many of whom were released after a year without facing trial. Some were forced to pay ransoms to secure their freedom.
Minister Muhoozi, however, cited sub judice as a reason for his inability to provide an immediate response. He remarked, “The response could have been unsatisfactory, but that does not close avenues for accountability. We have many avenues in which these issues can be addressed to their satisfaction.” Furthermore, he reassured the assembly that the government was committed to upholding civic space for both the opposition and all citizens. He stressed the importance of adhering to the rule of law and constitutionalism.
The parliamentary assembly now awaits Minister Muhoozi’s formal response to the allegations of human rights abuses and the erosion of civic space as the 30-day deadline approaches.
