We have this afternoon laid to rest my dear maternal grandmother - Jajja Aidah Kyosimb'onaanya - at Butenga village in Kawoko, Bukomansimbi district. We thank Allah for having granted Jajja Kyosimb'onaanya a long, productive life and the opportunity to see her grandchildren succeeding in their various life endavours. Very grateful to you my fellow comrades and leaders in the National Unity Platform who joined us to escort Jajja to her final resting place. May her beautiful soul rest in peace. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un!
This morning at Our Lady of Sorrows Cathedral – Kitovu in Masaka City, we held a memorial mass for our deceased brother, Frank Ssenteza who was murdered in cold blood by the Museveni regime on 26th December, 2020. It's been four painful years since that tragic day and yet up to now, there has been no justice for this crime. We are very grateful to Bishop Serverus Jjumba and the Church administration for hosting these prayers at the Cathedral. We're also grateful to the thousands of our people who joined us at the mass. We thank the parents of comrade Ssenteza for remaining firm and steadfast as we collectively pursue justice for our fallen comrades. In my message, I asked the National Unity Platform leaders at all levels to always remember people like Ssenteza who paid the ultimate price, in whatever decisions they make. All of us must strive to live by the TRUTH, because the truth will set us and our nation free. May Frank's soul continue resting in peace. May God grant that one day, comrades like Frank finally get justice.
My sweet grandmother, Hajat Aidah Kyosimb’onaanya Goloosa of Matanga-Masaka has gone to be with the Lord. We thank God for her long life (105 years). Burial details will be communicated shortly. https://t.co/HFw9IcHGPL
We celebrated Christmas day by attending a Holy Mass at Lubaga Cathedral. We celebrated this special day alongside other religious, cultural and political leaders as well as other Christians from all walks of life. In my brief communication, I lauded the Church and its leadership for the great work they continue to do to inspire and impart in us and our children the values we need to sail through this life. Hopefully you too had a good, restful Christmas day.
The last time Uganda invaded the DRC, senior military officials, including Dictator Museveni's relatives, looted the DRC's natural resources, including gold, timber, etc. The International Court of Justice ultimately condemned Uganda to pay over UGX 1.2 trillion in reparations starting 2022. Seems we're back to square one!
At the National Unity Platform School of Leadership, we had opportunity to train leaders and foot-soldiers from the districts of Mpigi and Kiboga about the mission, vision and objectives of our revolutionary struggle. I implored them to take the knowledge acquired to the comrades they left back home. We shall continue to train and educate each other, because as Steve Biko said, "The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed." And as Marcus Garvey taught us, "Liberate the minds of men and ultimately you will liberate the bodies of men." Each One Teach One!
If you haven't, you can rush to the @NUP_Ug Headquarters at Kavule and donate blood. The exercise closes today at 5:00pm. A big THANK YOU to all of you who came in for this very important exercise. https://t.co/kCURB9ggOe
When the military and police blocked our end of year event at One Love Beach Busabala, we converged at the National Unity Platform Headquarters and still used that opportunity to appreciate God for taking us through the many challenges this year. We appreciated these comrades for the great work they continue to do to advance the cause. We also reflected on the challenges ahead and reminded ourselves of our values as a cause. One step at a time, we shall get there. #PeoplePowerOurPower
Recently, the @NUP_Ug wrote to Uganda Blood Transfusion Services offering to organise an event at which we can donate blood to the Uganda Blood Bank. With the chronic blood shortage in our hospitals, it is important that we contribute the little we can to alleviate this situation. Join us tomorrow, Thursday December 19th for this important activity at our Headquarters, Makerere - Kavule. Donate Blood - Save Lives!
The situation at One Love Beach, Busabala as these cowardly criminals continue to arrest our workers and other neighbors! https://t.co/kbYeyKIEr6
ON GEN. MUSEVENI'S STATEMENT JUSTIFYING MILITARY TRIALS OF CIVILIANS I read dictator Museveni’s statement in which he once again shamelessly attempts to justify his tyranny by defending the illegal and immoral trial of civilians in the Military's kangaroo courts. The statement is full of lies and contradictions and does not paint the image of what exactly happens in those 'courts'. Of course his statement comes at the backdrop of the citizens' outcry and demand that the Supreme Court puts a final end to the trial of civilians in military courts. By issuing that statement, he is intimidating the court and certainly trying to influence their ruling- or trying to ensure that they do not deliver that ruling at all! In his desperate bid to cling to power, Museveni has made the military an instrument of oppression instead of defense. His claims that the kangaroo court martial system is about stabilizing the country are outright lies meant to mask his regime’s naked abuse of power and intimidate the people of Uganda into submission. Despite his claim that the victims of the Military's kangaroo courts can lodge appeals in civilian courts, the Supreme Court has just declared that civilian courts have no jurisdiction over military courts and thus cannot entertain any appeals from there. Museveni’s statement is, therefore, not only false but also a deliberate attempt to mislead the public into believing there are remedies for victims of injustice in the Court Martial. There are none. The kangaroo court martial is not an instrument of justice. It is a weapon that the regime uses to target its opponents and crush any voices of dissent. They use it to persecute and not prosecute. Today, Dr. Kizza Besigye is in detention on the orders of the military court, following his abduction in Kenya. I was arraigned before the same military court following the events in Arua. It was clear to everyone that the military itself concocted stories that I had been found with guns in my hotel room. Their objective at the time was to find every reason to detain me at Makindye military barracks where ordinary citizens would find trouble accessing me. From that time, our supporters in thousands have been abducted, tortured and detained on the orders of the military court. In most cases, for being found in possession of our t-shirts, overalls or red berets. He knows so well that these military tribunals have with zero capacity to deliver a fair trial. This is therefore not about law and order, or the administration of justice. It is about silencing the opposition and prolonging the failed regime of blood and shame! Mr. Museveni’s praise for the “efficiency” of the kangaroo court martial stands in stark contrast to the reality on ground. Hundreds of Ugandans have spent years in prison after being remanded there by the military tribunals, their trials deliberately delayed to punish them for standing up against the Museveni tyranny. Most of these are not criminals—they are political prisoners, innocent Ugandans whose only “crime” is opposing dictatorship. A case in point are the 19 of our comrades who have just recently been released after four years in military detention. Since 2021 when they were abducted and jailed by the military for supporting us, their trial never kicked off until the regime forced them to plead guilty in exchange for their freedom. The 9 who refused to plead guilty are still detained, unaware of when their trial will commence. All these are patriotic freedom fighters whom the regime now attempts to discredit as "unprincipled actors". The years they have spent behind bars belie his claim that kangaroo courts dispense speedy justice or any justice at all when it comes to his opponents. 1/2
We have met at Parliament with leaders from other pro-struggle political formations over the plight of our senior comrades Dr. @kizzabesigye1 and Hajj Obeid Kamulegeya who are currently detained at Luzira Prison. The two were last month abducted from Kenya by the Ugandan regime and produced before the kangaroo court martial in Makindye on politically-motivated charges. In the joint statement issued after our discussion, we have strongly condemned the abduction of Dr. Besigye and Hajj. Kamulegeya from Kenya, and their subsequent sham 'trial' by the military court which has no jurisdiction over civilians and from which the two will NEVER get a fair trial. We demand that either the charges against Dr. Besigye and Hajj Obeid are dropped entirely, or that their case is transferred to civilian courts. The unconstitutional practice of trying civilians in military courts must equally stop forthwith as numerous rulings by Uganda's Constitutional Court have ordered! #FreeAllPoliticalPrisonersUganda
I join all citizens of good will to once again condemn the trial of Dr. Kizza Besigye and his colleague Obed Lutale in the military court. The criminal regime continues to persecute its opponents in these kangaroo courts despite two Constitutional Court rulings barring the trial of civilians by the military. Mr. Museveni takes great delight in military courts because they are under his direct command and control. Those who chair them are not even required to be lawyers at the bare minimum. He chooses when they should remand, prosecute, deny or grant bail. In the period leading to and after the 2021 election, over 2000 NUP supporters who were abducted went through these 'courts' across the country. The comrades were charged before the General Court Martial, Division Courts Martial and Unit Disciplinary Committees. Although most of them were released after Mr. Museveni had successfully rigged the election and swore himself in, we still have many stuck in different prisons, being tried by the military. It is the greatest travesty of justice that Mr. Owiny Dollo has refused to have the Supreme Court deliver judgment to put a final end to this grave injustice! We must all raise voices against this injustice which every Ugandan is a potential victim of! #FreeKizzaBesigye #StopMilitaryTrialsOfCiviliansUg
Today, we came together to celebrate the international day for differently-abled persons (PWDs) and recognize their contribution to the struggle to restore freedom and democracy in Uganda. The active participation of PWDs in the struggle should inspire and remind everyone involved that misrule affects all of us without discrimination. We must each bring our unique abilities to the table and combine efforts to end the Museveni dictatorship! The event has also given our comrades recently released from prison a platform to highlight the injustice they have suffered during the months and years they have spent on remand without trial. These included comrade Olivia Lutaaya who spent nearly 4 years in military detention, comrade Magala Umar who was detained at the start of 2023, and comrade Sammy Okanya who was arrested during the anti-corruption protests (March to Parliament) in July. Their powerful testimonies today and re-commitment to the struggle despite the punishment they have suffered, have been such a great source of renewed strength and inspiration to us! #FreeAllPoliticalPrisonersUg
This morning at Kitalya Prison, we checked on the nine comrades who refused to plead guilty to crimes they did not commit. These are Ssekitoleko Yasin Machete, Patrick Mwase, Sharif Kalanzi, Joseph Muwonge, Abdallah Kintu, Umar Emma Kato, Kavuma Musa, Jimmy Galukande and Gibusiwa Abdallah. They are of strong spirit, committed to going all the way in their pursuit for freedom and justice. They have thus far rejected so many manoeuvers by the regime and its agents. They told us that Balaam and other Museveni agents have been promising them lots of money and jobs if they plead guilty, but they have refused. Their demand is that they are subjected to a free and fair trial. They are willing to face any punishment if evidence is brought against them and they're convicted. I must say that we are all inspired by their conviction. #FreeAllPoliticalPrisonersinUganda #BringBackOurPeople #FreeUganda
More than 6 months later, comrade Bobi Young remains under illegal detention without trial, on the orders of the military court! Supporting NUP is not a crime. And yet we remain hopeful that one day, this oppression will come to an end. #FreeBobiYoung https://t.co/7KaMS3kWJH
Many of you have reached out to our teams asking how you may support comrade Olivia Lutaaya after 4 years of illegal detention without trial. You may use the information on this flyer to send in your contribution for her, using mobile money. To support other political prisoners who are still in detention, as well as those who were released and still identify with the struggle, please reach out to our Welfare team on +256 700 195 101.
Very disturbed by the news that Lady Justice Esther Kisakye was finally forced to flee to exile following years of persecution by the Museveni regime! Her crime? Issuing a dissenting judgment in the Presidential election petition, which we filed against dictator Museveni's grand election theft in 2021. We all remember how Mr. Owiny-Dollo confiscated her file and denied her the opportunity to read her ruling! They switched off the lights and air-conditioning, forcing her to deliver her judgment alone in the dark, hot tent outside. They withdrew her entitlements, and started persecuting her left, right and center. To get some peace, she applied for early retirement which Gen. Museveni rejected so that she doesn't get any retirement benefits! She made numerous applications seeking justice from the courts, but they feared or simply refused to give her a hearing date! You can imagine all this happening to a judge of the highest court in our country! It is not surprising we're now told she has been facing threats to her life. The persecution of Justice Kisakye underscores the lengths to which the regime will go to silence and punish those who dare to check its impunity. Her ordeal is a stark reminder of the urgent need to reclaim our country, restore judicial independence, and right the wrongs that have been perpetrated against officers like her by those who should have rewarded her integrity!
What a joy to receive you back, comrade Olivia Lutaaya! You have spent 4 years under illegal detention without trial for no crime whatsoever. I am very glad to see that you are still very strong- still committed to the struggle for a better country. It may take long, but I know that Museveni and his criminal regime will account for every crime committed against our people.