In the heart of Africa, Uganda stands as a nation of promise, rich in history and culture. Yet beneath its vibrant colors and resilient people lies a troubling reality, one where political oppression, restriction on freedoms, media suppression, and human rights violations have become all too familiar. It is with a heavy heart that we call upon the Government of Uganda and all concerned human rights bodies to take immediate action to protect democracy and safeguard the rights of its people, particularly the opposition and their supporters.
For decades, Uganda has been governed under the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni, whose rule has been marred by allegations of political suppression and a tightening grip on power. While democracy is enshrined in Uganda’s Constitution, the practical experience of opposition parties and their supporters paints a different picture. Political oppression has become the norm, with opposition leaders facing arbitrary arrests, harassment, and threats to their lives simply for voicing alternative views. The very essence of political plurality and freedom, the bedrock of any democratic society has been severely undermined.
One of the most glaring examples of this oppression is the restriction on freedom of assembly. The Public Order Management Act (POMA) has been weaponized to stifle opposition rallies and meetings, often under the guise of maintaining public order. These restrictions have prevented the opposition from freely mobilizing, organizing, and engaging with the public. Peaceful protests are consistently met with violent crackdowns, where security forces use excessive force to disperse crowds, leading to injuries, deaths, and a climate of fear. We implore the Ugandan government to review and amend laws like POMA, to allow for free and fair political participation for all.
Media suppression is yet another concerning factor. Independent media outlets have faced increasing censorship, shutdowns, and intimidation, particularly when they challenge the government narrative. Journalists covering opposition events risk arbitrary detention or worse. A free press is essential to holding governments accountable and ensuring that the truth reaches the people. It is time for the government to end its campaign against independent media and instead foster an environment where free expression can thrive, free from fear of retaliation.
Moreover, the integrity of Uganda’s electoral process has been called into question time and again. The 2016 general elections were marred by allegations of fraud, voter intimidation, and the use of state resources to benefit the ruling party. For democracy to function, elections must be free, fair, and transparent. The Government of Uganda must take concrete steps to reform the electoral system, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard without fear of manipulation or coercion.
The human rights violations that have occurred during these processes are perhaps the most tragic of all. Reports of abductions, beatings, and activists are far too common. Families live in fear as their loved ones are taken in the dead of night, with no explanation or hope of justice. The torture and inhumane treatment of political detainees must end immediately. The culture of impunity should be broken.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) has borne the brunt of oppression and violence in the struggle for political freedom in Uganda, What should be a democratic right to support a political party of one’s choice has instead become a dangerous endeavor for countless NUP supporters, who live in fear of harassment, abduction, and even death. Today, we highlight the story of one of these brave individuals, a 24-year-old family man, Abdullah Kintu, whose life has been shattered by Uganda’s brutal crackdown on political opposition.
Kintu, a resident of Maganjo and father who reportedly works as business support staff in Kampala’s bustling Kiseka Market. Like many other young Ugandans, he believed in change and aligned himself with NUP, hoping for a better future for his family. However, on November 21st, Kintu became the latest victim of political violence when he was found unconscious, severely beaten, and dumped in a wetland.
According to two Good Samaritans who found him, Kintu was barely alive when they rushed him to Good Care Clinic in Kawanda, where he is currently recovering from the torture injuries he sustained. His story is both heartbreaking and frightening, as it reveals the dark reality that thousands of NUP supporters face in Uganda today.
When our reporter (whose name is withheld for safety reasons) reached Kintu shortly before his hospitalization, the young father, though traumatized, was able to recount some of the horrific events that led to his abduction and torture. He had been targeted simply for supporting NUP, and in his words, “they wanted to silence me.” Kintu’s injuries were so severe that he struggled to speak, visibly shaken by the ordeal. His fear was not just for himself but also for his wife and three young childrennwho depend on him for their survival.
Even more disturbing is that Kintu was not alone in this nightmarish experience. Another young man, identified only as Kizito Medy (27), was found unconscious alongside him. Medy’s condition remains critical, and no further details have been revealed, as he has not yet regained consciousness. These men, like many others, have been left broken by a system that punishes them for their political beliefs.
This is not just about Kintu or Medy. It is about the thousands of NUP supporters who have been beaten, arrested, or abducted for daring to stand up for change in Uganda. The violence they face is part of a broader pattern of oppression aimed at crushing political opposition and silencing voices of dissent.
We must act now.
We call upon the Government of Uganda to immediately end the political oppression and persecution of NUP supporters. The restrictions on freedom of assembly, which make it nearly impossible for opposition parties to organize, must be lifted. Media suppression must end so that the truth can be told without fear of retribution. Most importantly, human rights violations, like the ones suffered by Kintu and Medy, must stop.
To the international community, we appeal to you to stand with Uganda’s oppressed. The United Nations, the African Union, and all human rights bodies must apply pressure on the Ugandan government to uphold the basic rights of its citizens. The lives of people like Kintu and Medy among many others cannot be allowed to be torn apart by unchecked brutality.
Kintu’s story is a cry for help; a cry for justice, not just for himself, but for his family, his fellow NUP supporters, and for every Ugandan who dreams of a free and fair democracy. His trauma, his pain, and his courage should serve as a reminder of the urgency of this call.
Uganda’s future must be built on freedom, equality, and respect for human rights. We can no longer turn a blind eye to the violence against NUP supporters. The time for action is now.
As Uganda continues to strive for growth and development, it must not leave behind the basic principles of human dignity, freedom, and democracy. The world is watching. We call upon the Government of Uganda to end political oppression, allow for free assembly, stop media suppression, improve electoral integrity, and above all, protect the human rights of its citizens, especially those whose voices challenge the status quo.
