The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LoP), Mr Joel Ssenyonyi, has asked Speaker Jacob Oboth-Oboth to urgently reconvene the House to discuss what he describes as escalating human rights violations and growing disregard for the rule of law by security agencies.
In a June 17 letter addressed to the Speaker and seen by the Daily Monitor, Mr Ssenyonyi argues that the country is witnessing an increase in abductions, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions and other alleged abuses that require immediate parliamentary intervention.
He specifically cited actions by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, which he said have raised serious concerns about constitutional governance and respect for human rights.
“I write to request that Parliament be urgently reconvened to consider and address the growing incidents of human rights violations and disregard for the rule of law that I raised on the Floor of the House during the fourth sitting of the first meeting of the first session of the 12th Parliament, where the Vice President directed the Minister for Security to return with a statement,’ Mr Ssenyonyi wrote.
‘At the time, I brought to the attention of the House disturbing reports of abductions, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, excessive use of force by security agencies and other actions that undermine the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. Regrettably, indications suggest that these violations have not abated and are, in fact, escalating,’ he added.
Mr Ssenyonyi’s request comes a day after former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was arrested from his home in Wakaliga, Kampala, by security operatives on Monday and taken to an undisclosed location. Shortly after the arrest, Gen Muhoozi posted on his official X account that he had captured ‘a fool’, before later sharing photographs purportedly of Mr Lukwago accompanied by captions that critics described as demeaning.
‘Not isolated’
Mr Ssenyonyi said the incident was not isolated, arguing that several Opposition politicians and supporters had faced similar treatment in recent years. While Parliament is scheduled to reconvene on July 7, waiting until then presents a significant risk.
“The continued absence of parliamentary intervention and oversight could create an environment in which further violations occur unchecked, thereby exposing more Ugandans to potential abuses and undermining public confidence in the rule of law and constitutional governance,’ he said.
Mr Lukwago was yesterday arraigned before the Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court and charged with misprision of a felony.
Addressing journalists yesterday, Mr Ssenyonyi claimed that a number of Ugandans, particularly supporters of the Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), remain missing or are being held incommunicado.
Missing NUP supporters
‘We know that a number of Ugandans have been missing for a while, including John Bosco Kibalama, Kanata, Muhammad, John Damulira and Amos Rwangumani, among others. They are being held incommunicado, tortured and rotting in jails, yet it seems to be business as usual,’ he said.
“We understand that some of these missing persons were killed, which is why they have failed to produce them before courts of law,’ he added.
Previous incidents
Mr Ssenyonyi also referenced the case of Edward Ssebufu, popularly known as Eddie Mutwe, the chief bodyguard of NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine. utwe disappeared in April before resurfacing days later in detention.
During that period, Gen Muhoozi posted on social media claiming that he had captured him and was keeping him in a basement. he incident sparked public outrage and prompted legislators on Parliament’s Defence and Internal Affairs Committee to seek explanations from the military leadership.
However, efforts to summon the CDF reportedly failed after Gen Muhoozi publicly dismissed the legislators and questioned their authority to summon him. Mutwe was later presented before the Masaka Chief Magistrate’s Court in visibly frail condition and charged with treason, a case that remains before the courts. he Opposition leader also blamed President Museveni, as the appointing authority, for what he described as a failure to rein in the conduct of senior security officials.
Mr Ssenyonyi further accused Gen Muhoozi of engaging in partisan political activity while serving as a military officer.
‘You cannot settle political scores using the office you hold. If you want to engage in politics, resign from the army, form a political party and compete with the rest of us on equal terms,’ he added.
By press time, Parliament had not publicly responded to Mr Ssenyonyi’s request for an extraordinary sitting.