The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has voiced concern about the situation in Uganda following reports of arrests involving political and civic figures, as well as cases where the whereabouts of certain individuals have not been clearly disclosed.
The concerns were communicated through a statement released by his spokesperson at the U.N. headquarters in New York.According to the statement, the U.N. leadership is closely monitoring developments in Uganda and is urging all parties involved to act responsibly while respecting legal and constitutional processes.
The global body emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and adherence to the rule of law during periods of political tension.The Secretary-General noted that freedoms guaranteed under Uganda’s Constitution should be upheld at all times. These include the right to free expression, personal liberty, security, and the ability of journalists and media organizations to operate independently without interference.
Although the statement did not identify any specific individuals or incidents, it comes at a time when Uganda has attracted increased international attention over several controversial developments involving opposition politicians, activists, and civil society actors.Among the issues drawing concern is the continued detention of veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale, who are facing treason-related charges. Their detention has sparked debate both locally and internationally, with supporters questioning the conditions under which they are being held.
Besigye’s family members and political allies have repeatedly raised concerns about his health and wellbeing while in custody. They have also criticized actions taken against members of his legal team, including Martha Karua and Erias Lukwago, arguing that such developments could affect the fairness of legal proceedings.The U.N. statement also comes against the backdrop of growing discussion surrounding restrictions on media operations in Uganda, including actions that affected media outlets associated with Nation Media Group. Press freedom advocates have continued to call for an environment where journalists can work without intimidation or undue restrictions.While Ugandan authorities maintain that their actions are lawful and aimed at protecting national security and public order, the United Nations has joined other international organizations and diplomatic partners in urging the government to safeguard fundamental freedoms, ensure transparency in law enforcement operations, and uphold the rights guaranteed under both national and international law.
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