UN rights chief decries "repressive tactics" in Uganda ahead of vote
Ugandan pposition and media are facing increasingly "repressive measures" leading up to next month's presidential and parliamentary elections, prompting UN rights chief Volker Türk to call upon authorities to cease such practices.
Genève (AFP) - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on the Ugandan authorities to stop what he described as "repressive measures" against the opposition and the media ahead of the presidential and parliamentary elections in January.
President Yoweri Museveni, 81, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, will be seeking another term in office. He is facing opposition from Bobi Wine, 43, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, a former popular singer who has become the candidate of the main opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP).
According to the High Commission, which cites "credible information", at least 550 people, including NUP members and supporters, have been arrested and detained since the beginning of the year in the East African country.
Of these, more than 300 were arrested during the election campaign that began in September, the organisation said, noting in particular the recent ‘arbitrary’ detention of two Kenyan human rights activists, who disappeared for more than a month before being released in early November.
Many still detained
Many prisoners are still in detention, accused of disturbing public order, disobeying lawful orders, assault, obstructing justice and inciting violence, the UN organisation said in a statement.
"I urge the Ugandan authorities to cease such repressive tactics in order to allow Ugandans to fully and peacefully exercise their right to participate in the public affairs of their country on election day and beyond," Mr Türk said in the statement.
In addition to the arrests, he also deplored "the use of unnecessary or disproportionate force against the opposition," with his organisation recalling that last week at least one person was killed during a rally held by Mr Wine in Iganga, about 100 km east of the capital Kampala.
Call to end all violence
Mr Türk further urged "the Ugandan authorities to investigate thoroughly and impartially all allegations of enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture or ill-treatment, to punish those responsible and to compensate the victims in full".
He also called on the government to uphold the right to freedom of expression, following "multiple recent attacks on press freedom in the country" noted by his organisation.
"The Ugandan authorities must put an end to all violence against the media and the opposition and act in full compliance with their obligations under international human rights law," he insisted.