Sylvia
Tooro sub-region’s National Unity Platform NUP’s leadership has issued a caution to the government of Uganda expressing concern over the arrest of its party supporters in various areas of the region, who have been unjustly labeled as associates of ADF rebels.
The alert was prompted by the detention of more than 20 NUP supporters on December 23, 2023, in Kamwenge district, Hakibale, Kyegegwa, and other locations following an ADF rebel attack in Kamwenge district, that resulted into the tragic loss of 13 lives.
Make thorough investigations before imprisoning people- Security told
Addressing the media in a press conference at the NUP offices in Fort Portal, Innocent Nabasa, the team leader of NUP coordinators in Tooro sub-region, emphasized that these individuals were apprehended by security forces without proper justification, with some being held for 2 to 3 weeks without facing any charges.
Nabasa who acknowledged their subsequent release with the assistance of the NUP legal team, highlighted the ongoing security actions targeting NUP supporters, aimed at hindering the party’s organizational activities.
The Tooro NUP Team leader, urged security forces to conduct thorough investigations before making arrests, emphasizing that security matters should not be politicized to intimidate political rivals. He revealed that for example NUP was in the process of mobilizing for party structures when their supporters were apprehended.
Davis Rwamuhumbu, the Tooro sub-region coordinator, called on the government to recognize Uganda’s multiparty system, emphasizing that each political party should be granted equal rights to participate in the country’s political activities.
Amidst of these concerns, some NUP supporters shared their harrowing experiences while incarcerated, shedding light on the challenges they faced in prison cells.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Rwenzori West police spokesperson proved unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered.
