Leader of the Opposition Members of Parliament Hon. Mathias Mpuuga has claimed that President Museveni is the benefactor of the alleged abduction and torture of government’s critics.
Speaking to Olive Najjuma, the Brunch Talk Show host on RX Radio, Mpuuga decried the alleged torture and inhumane treatment of civillians by the army, saying that President Museveni has on several occasions applauded the army for torturing his critics, contradicting himself on what he said in August 2021 when he condemned the acts as “wrong and unnecessary.”
“In 2018 when Hon Kyagulanyi was arrested in Arua by the army, detained in Mbuya, tortured, brutalised and humiliated, Gen. Museveni said that the military beat him throughly well. He was appreciative of the beating vested on his opponent,” said Mpuuga.
He added that when Museveni said that he was against torture, he was probably trying to please some people, undergoing review or had a loan request. “It was never a sincere statement to appear as anti-torture. However, the real statement is when he named his son Muhoozi an avenger,” Mpuuga commented.
He went on to say that in his power and position as Commander in Chief, the President had all the rights to act against torture but instead kept his hands folded.
“When you’re the President and Commander in Chief, you have no space for lamentation. That is the space for ordinary citizens. The space available for a commander is action. Failure to do so is complicity. So ever since he said that his son is his avenger, how many of those beating, brutalizing and humiliating citizens have been arrested and aligned? If none, it is a complicity. He is the sole beneficiary of this humiliation because the intention is to send a scary message to his opponents. That once you oppose him, what you benefit is torture and humiliation.”
Last week, the Opposition MPs led by Mpuuga decided to boycott parliamentary proceedings contesting the illegal detention of government critics without trial, kidnaps and murder of people.
The MPs also plan to forward a motion to censure the Minister of Security Maj. Gen Jim Muhwezi who they accuse of deliberately looking on as human rights violations took a toll in the country.
Recently, the US and European Union issued statements against human rights violations in the country after satirical novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija revealed torture scars he had on his back, legs and thighs that he got from his arrest and ddetention before he was charged with two counts of offensive communication.
The MPs also decried the continued detention of tens of NUP supporters arrested during the December 2021 presidential campaigns who are still languishing in jail battling charges of illegal possession of explosives and have spent more than 9 months on remand.
On January 31st, Masereka Samuel the Kasese NUP Coordinator in Kasese District was whisked away by unknown security operatives under allegations of being involved in activities attached to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
He later resurfaced on January 26th with scars on his back, stomach and legs. The coordinator has gone on to sue the former Director of Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, Maj Gen. Abel Kandiho for being responsible of his torture during his detention.
Brunch Talk is hosted by Olive Najjuma Monica every Saturday from Midday to 1pm on RX Radio.
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