The National Unity Platform (NUP), the largest opposition party in Uganda, has criticized the government for what it describes as unfair treatment of protesters. According to Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, some of the party’s members were arrested and are currently in jail. The detained members include Hassan Kirumira, representing Katikamu South, Charles Tebandeke from Bbaale County, and Francis Zaake of Mityana Municipality. They were reportedly detained after attending a regular press conference at the NUP headquarters.
Ssenyonyi has called for an end to the alleged abuse of power by the ruling NRM government and has demanded “Free Uganda” in response to the arrests. He highlighted recent events where a group of demonstrators with placards protesting against MP Theodore Ssekikubo were allowed into Parliament without any issues. These protesters were given access to Parliament and even met with some members.
In contrast, Ssenyonyi pointed out that protesters who marched to Parliament to voice their concerns about other issues were met with a much harsher response. Many of these protesters were reportedly intercepted by security forces, beaten, and detained. Ssenyonyi expressed frustration over what he sees as a double standard in how different protest groups are handled.
He emphasized that the protesters who were treated harshly were not carrying weapons or engaging in violence; they only had placards.
