It’s exactly four months since security forces rounded up and arrested members of Kyagulanyi's campaign team while in Kalangala district where he had gone to look for votes ahead of the presidential election in January 2021.
The president of the National Unity Platform-NUP Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has said that he has no intentions of negotiating with
president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the release his
supporters who were arrested last year.
It’s exactly four months since
security forces rounded up and arrested members of Kyagulanyi's campaign team while in
Kalangala district where he had gone to look for votes ahead of the presidential election in January 2021.
Speaking today at his party’s headquarters in Kamwokya, where prayers had been organized for NUP supporters who have
died in the ‘struggle’ and those in prison, Kyagulanyi said that he is increasingly coming
under pressure from the relatives of those in detention to talk to the government in
order for them to be released.
He however said if indeed they have cases to
answer let them be taken to civil courts and be charged as there is nobody
above the law.
//Cue in…tumanyi nti tunyigiriza nnyo...
Cue out…kuba tuzze tubiraba."//
In December 2020, security forces rounded up more
than 100 NUP supporters and kept them in different detention centres in Masaka
district. The majority of them have since been released on bail. However,
35 of them mostly with a close relationship with Kyagulanyi were charged in the General Court Martial with being
found in possession of bullets contrary to the UPDF and Firearms’ Acts. They include Nubia Li,
Eddie Mutwe, and Dan Magic, among others,
Kyagulanyi also called for unity among all forces of change arguing that
divisions will help the state to continue dominating them.
//Cue in… twewala okwawukanayawukana...
Cue out… Okuba enkola yaffe."//
For his part, Sheikh Ismail, an Imam at A Shuraa Mosque Bweyogerere called upon NUP leaders and supporters to trust in God
because it’s only him who will liberate them from their current woes. Ismail
also called upon the government to stop treating opponents as though they are not
citizens of Uganda.
//Cue in; Naye alina ekisumuluzo...
Cue out… gavumenti tekiba kinene."//
While speaking at Kyankwanzi on Wednesday, President
Museveni said his government will deal decisively with anybody who tries to disorganize
peace in the country. He said, his is a resistance movement that cannot be
shaken by riots and demonstrations by NUP supporters in towns like Kampala.
