Kyandondo East Member of Parliament and former presidential candidate, Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu called for the unconditional release of all detainees.
He also has asked legislators to take a position against what he terms as ‘abductions and inhumane treatment’ of National Unity Platform supporters.
Presenting a personal statement to the House on Thursday, 11 March 2021, Kyagulanyi said the January elections were characterized by unprecedented levels of electoral violence especially towards NUP supporters with many being abducted and tortured.
“We face an apparent danger with most state institutions being reduced to serving the interests of an individual instead of the interests of the general public,” he said.
Kyagulanyi said that as Parliament goes about its business, people are being captured by state security operatives in an illegal manner and being held in unknown detention centres across the country.
“Just yesterday, Tony Kiweewa, our cameraman and the NUP Youth Chairperson for Mosque zone in Kibuli, Najib Wesonga were brutally abducted by security men; a sign that the list keeps growing,” he added.
Kyagulanyi added that those who have returned from these detention facilties have testimonies of inhumane acts committed against them ranging from dismemberment, waterboarding and electrocution.
“Others have ended up dying while in detention due to immense torture like Rogers Ssemakula from Mukono district and Luka Fabian who were captured from Arua District and damped in Nakawa only to succumb to injuries sustained,” he said.
He also asked why the government is reluctant to follow the law when arresting people, by charging them and presenting them to courts within the stipulated 48 hours.
“Why are our people associated with NUP being tried in military courts while others are being detained without any fair trial?” he asked.
Kyagulanyi said the constitution provides people with the right to associate politically without any of fear of incarceration adding, “this right is being infringed on everyday”.
The Speaker Rebecca Kadaga referred the statement to the Committee on Human Rights which is investigating the alleged human rights violations.
