KAMPALA —Dr Kizza Besigye and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) have announced a process to petition the International Criminal Court (ICC) over serious crimes and crimes against humanity they claim have been committed by President Museveni and his security officers against the people of Uganda.
Addressing a press conference in Kampala on Friday, November 8, Dr Besigye franked by his lawyer Erias Kuhwaho said his People’s Government has secretly investigated and documented crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression committed by what he described as the Museveni junta.
Other crimes they claim to have investigated include murder, enslavement, extermination, deportations, imprisonment or other severe deprivation of physical liberties, rape, sexual slavery, enforced disappearance of persons and other inhuman acts. These, he said have caused great suffering or serious body injuries and mental or physical health.
Mr Lukwago said their investigation and documentation established suppression, torture and extra judicial killing of Ugandans, especially those opposed to the sitting Museveni regime, including massacre in Kasese, Acholi, Teso, Luwero Triangle, Lango and West Nile.
He added that the documentation also captures the invasion of parliament by the forces in an attempt to abrogate the constitution in Dec 2017. MPs were violently beaten.
Mr Lukwago said the other matter that has been investigated and documented is the use of state security apparatus and militia to attack, persecute, dehumanise, terrorise and humiliate Museveni opponents, CSOs, journalists, and other citizens who attempt to undertake any lawful and legitimate activities that include holding assemblies and rallies for purposes of disseminating information or advancing programs in line with their development agenda.
‘This attack has been executed by established illegal paramilitary groups like the SFC, Commando Unit, LDUs, Koboko Squad, Flying Squad, Wembley, Bodaboda 2010 and Crime Preventers that have wrecked havoc and terrorised citizens,” he added.
Mr Lukwago said they consider enforced disappearances and curtailment of civil liberties against Ugandans as crimes against humanity. He said this is evidenced in the disappearance or killing of political leaders, activists and clerics- where most of these cases remain unresolved.
‘Under this, kidnaps, abductions, illegal arrests and enforced disappearances by security forces and other militia groups are on the rise; and most of the victims are kept in ‘safe houses’ where people are tortured and others killed without trace,” Mr Lukwago said.
Mr Lukwago said Dr Besigye appeal to Ugandans to report to People’s Government offices on Plot 6 Katonga Road, Nakasero Kampala on Tuesday 12th November 2019, to formally sign a petition.
They said only those with the National Identity Card will be allowed to sign the Petition.
However, when contacted, the deputy executive director of the Uganda Media Centre, Col Shaban Bantariza, scoffed at Dr Besigye and team for fighting a losing battle. He urged Dr Besigye to follow the existing Democratic process in the country if he wants to take Power.
