KAMPALA – The president of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine, has told the European Union Delegation to Uganda that the actions of security operatives against civilians are taking the country back to the dark days.
Speaking in a meeting with the EU Delegation at his home in Magere Village, Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District on Thursday, February 4, 2021, Bobi Wine explained the arbitrary arrests, and abductions of NUP supporters that started before, during and after the January 14 elections.
He said this has left many Ugandans living in fear, urging the EU, which he regarded as Uganda’s development, to reign in on President Museveni’s government to stop what he described as blatant human rights violations.
Speaking after the meeting that last lasted about two hours, Mr Joel Ssenyonyi, the NUP spokesman, said they told the EU leaders about the human rights abuses committed by the army and police against supporters of the opposition.
“They were here on behalf of their countries and they are very concerned about the human rights violations in Uganda. We have asked them not to be silent about what is going on in Uganda but we are not asking them to run the country because Ugandans can manage their own country,” Mr Ssenyonyi told journalists.
Bobi Wine also posted on social media: “Met with the EU delegation. Appreciated the EU for its role in fostering democracy and reiterated our non-violent approach, even in the face of extreme provocation. We hope the friends of Uganda will support the citizens’ call for accountability after a rigged election.”
The meeting was attended by, among others, the EU head of Delegation in Uganda, Mr Attilio Pacifici, and 9 ambassadors representing European countries; Germany, Belgium, Austria, Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Ireland and Denmark.
“Together with EU colleagues I met with NUP leaders today to exchange views and hear their concerns following the elections. We value and encourage dialogue with and between all political actors. I look forward to meetings also with other political parties in the near future,” Mr Pacifici tweeted.
The meeting comes days after Bobi Wine filed an election petition, challenging the outcome of the January 14 presidential elections. Also, several of NUP supporters and Bobi Wine’s aides are currently languishing in prison on several charges, including possession of guns and ammunition. The group had been arrested in Kalangala District during Bobi Wine’s presidential campaigns and despite the civilian court granting them bail, the army detained them and later arraigned them before the army court martial on various charges.
