WASHINGTON DC- A senior member of the US House of Representatives also the chairperson of the congressional black caucus has condemned the recent police brutality on Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyaguanyi aka Bobi Wine, protesting the “false detention and torture of the MP.
In a strongly-worded letter, US Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-CA) said it is unacceptable to assault, harass, or teargas any citizen because of their views.
She also condemns the use of live ammunition from police and security forces saying it is troubling that a Member of Parliament would be detained for exercising his right to freedom of speech and assembly while protesting peacefully in Uganda.
“Mr. [Bobi] Wine has captured the voice of young people in Uganda and should not be detained because of his political or social beliefs. It is unacceptable to assault, harass, or teargas any citizen because of their views. I encourage the government of Uganda to adhere to the rule of law and treat all its citizens justly regardless of political affiliations.”
The congresswoman also condemned President Yoweri Museveni for suppressing internal dissent against his regime since the lifting of the presidential age limit from the Constitution.
On Thursday this week, Mr. Robert Amsterdam, the international legal counsel engaged by Bobi Wine wrote to USA president Donald Trump asking him to take immediate action to cut off military support to Uganda and to denounce the crimes committed by President Museveni’s regime.
Mr. Amsterdam in a letter accused Museveni administration of using military aid from the US to terrorize civilians and suppress political dissent.
“A lasting peace in this troubled region of Africa can only be achieved through the free politics of a true democracy – something President Museveni will do anything to prevent,” Mr. Amsterdam told Trump adding that “it is time for the US and other Western donors to ensure that all military and non-military aid is conditional on the holding of free and fair elections.”
Mr. Amsterdam went on to mention a litany of Museveni’s alleged transgressions –including, beating opposition figures and their supporters, land grabbing and electronic vote manipulation.
“Since January 2018, over 18 people have been shot and killed and over 850 homes and properties have been burnt down by security forces in Amuru district. This appears to be one of many disguised land grab projects orchestrated by the Ugandan government throughout the country in recent years.”
He told Mr. Trump that Museveni’s Special Forces troops, wearing plain clothes, raided the floor of Parliament to prevent opposition MPs from filibustering a bill that would enable him to extend his grip on power.
Government spokesperson Ofwono Opondo couldn’t be reached for comment. He neither answered nor returned our repeated phone calls including blue ticked WhatsApp messages.
