Activists Decry Repression, Legal Abuses and Political Persecution in Uganda

During a press conference in Kampala, Friday, human rights activists led by lawyer Agather Atuhaire issued a stern warning to President Museveni, urging him to address the growing frustrations among Ugandans.

“The president should realize that we are getting desperate, and this government is pushing all Ugandans to the wall,” Atuhaire said.

The activists condemned the government’s use of military courts to try civilians and called for the immediate release of political detainees Eron Kiiza, Dr. Kizza Besigye, and Obed Lutale Kamulegeya. They emphasized that the prolonged repression, compounded by judicial inaction, has left citizens feeling powerless and betrayed.

“This level of political persecution cannot continue without consequences. Ugandans deserve justice, not oppression,” Atuhaire added, calling for urgent reforms to restore the rule of law.

Activists Highlight Escalating Abuse of the Law

Aloikin Praise, a social justice activist, added her voice to the growing criticism of Uganda's justice system, emphasizing the worsening state of legal abuses in the country.

“So many cases have happened in Uganda, and they keep getting worse regarding abuse of the law,” Aloikin said during the press conference in Kampala.

Her remarks, echoed the coalition’s broader condemnation of the government’s use of military courts to try civilians, a practice they described as unconstitutional and a tool of political persecution. The activists pointed to these actions as part of a broader pattern of injustice, calling for urgent reforms and the release of political detainees Eron Kiiza, Dr. Kizza Besigye, and Obed Lutale Kamulegeya.

They stressed that such systemic abuse under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) regime has pushed Ugandans to the brink, further undermining the rule of law and public trust in the judiciary.