The Forum for Democratic Change-FDC political party faction at Katonga Road in Kampala has applauded the decision of opposition Members of Parliament to stay out of parliament until the government satisfactorily addresses the issue of human rights violations.
Erias Lukwago, the President of the FDC Katonga said the government must be kept on its feet if it is to change course and start respecting human rights. Lukwago said MPs led by the leader of the opposition Mathias Mpuuga staying out of parliament until the government explains not only what they call the illegal arrest of National Unity Platform President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu earlier this month and the disappearance and detention of other party supporters, it will send a message that its no longer business as usual.
It’s now almost three weeks since MPs walked out of Parliament demanding answers from the government on what they call violations of the rights of Ugandans. Speaking to the press last week, Mpuuga said they will not be going back to attend plenary sessions until the state provides answers that assure the country that such cases are not going to reoccur.
The Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa in response said they are trying to engage the relevant authorities and he was confident that the issue will be resolved. He added that as the presiding officer, he was also concerned that only one side is currently sitting in parliament.
Lukwago also said that he was appalled by the I don’t care attitude exuded by the government ministers such as Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and Internal Affairs Minister David Muhoozi who both said in parliament that they had provided all the information they had on the alleged human rights violations.
Lukwago also called out the Uganda Human Rights Commission, the body vested with the responsibility of protecting human rights. He said the commission headed by Mariam Wangadya on top of not doing its job as spelled out in the law, it has been politicized.
He also said the Commission takes long to hear cases that have been referred to it.
Before, during, and after the 2021 general elections, a number of supporters of the National Unity Platform were arrested some were tried in courts while others have never been seen let alone tried in any courts of law.
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