Human rights defenders in Uganda are calling for an independent oversight body to hold accountable members of the security forces who may commit human rights violations during the election process.
This follows concerns over brutality, abductions, and other forms of violations.
Ms Margret Sekaggya, the Executive Director of Human Rights Centre Uganda, emphasized the need for an independent body similar to those in neighboring Kenya to check actions during protests.
“The concerns about brutality, abductions, and other forms of violations are a major concern among Ugandans during this election period, and there is a need to address the excesses of the security forces through an oversight mechanism and strengthening civil-military intervention,” Sekaggya said.
“We need to create an independent oversight body to ensure that those who commit human rights violations are held accountable,” she added.
Mr Robert Ssempala, the Executive Director of Human Rights Network for Journalists, expressed concern over the increasing number of attacks on journalists covering elections, saying it’s a worrying trend that needs to be addressed.
“We have seen cases where Uganda People’s Congress activists deliberately and intentionally assaulted journalists using very offensive and harassing words without any provocation,” Ssempala said.
He cited cases of journalists being assaulted, harassed, and having their equipment confiscated by politicians and security personnel.
The UPDF Director of Human Rights, Maj. Gerald Bamwitirebye, denied allegations of abducting civilians, saying its arrests are intelligence-led and aimed at catching criminals.
“We don’t conduct abductions. We conduct arrests, which are intelligence-led, and we arrest criminals,” Maj. Gerald said, defending the UPDF’s Special Forces Command (SFC).
The office of Director of Human Rights and Legal Services at Uganda Police, condemned violence and emphasised that the police have mechanisms in place for the public to report complaints against police officers.
“Violence is not a good thing. We all condemn it,” SP Philip Mangeni said, adding that police have put in place mechanisms for the public to lodge complaints against officers.
The police and UPDF have assured the public that they are working to address human rights concerns and ensure accountability for any violations.
Mr Nicholas Ogwang, Regional Human Rights Officer, Lira Regional Office, emphasised the importance of a peaceful electoral process, free from violence, human rights violations, and abuses.
‘As a Commission, we have been able to monitor the ongoing electoral process, especially in this region, and I must say that so far the security agencies working together with the political parties around, so far it has been good. We have not seen the kind of scenes we are seeing in other regions,’ he said.
‘And we pray that we don’t see here in this region, but we also pray that those that we are seeing in other regions in this country, we need to have them stopped such that together we can have a very peaceful election – an election that is not tainted with blood, an election that is not tainted with human rights violations and human rights abuses,’ he added.