Buganda Kingdom has instructed government to respect human rights in their efforts to contain the protests which have rocked major towns in the country since Wednesday.
During press conference at Bulange, Mengo, Buganda premier, Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga obliged government and security forces to stop acts that may lead the country into anarchy, even as they try to keep law and order.
“The government says that they are trying to stop acts that may lead to COVID-19, which is okay because COVID-19 is real and it kills, but it doesn’t mean that whoever doesn’t follow the guidelines should be treated in a way that violates their rights,” Katikkiro Mayiga said.
Katikkiro Mayiga also said that if indeed, the security forces who are arresting the people are trying to stop the spread of COVID-19, handling suspects in a way they have might spread the virus even further.
The Katikkiro added that arresting presidential candidates, during campaign periods is a threat to the country’s democracy and casts doubt on the future of this country.
“It’s hard to believe that the price of avoiding COVID-19 is to kill and arrest people. Security forces have a right to keep law and order but it doesn’t mean that they should kill Ugandans,” Katikkiro Mayiga said.
For two days, police and the army have been running battles with protesters who continue to demand for the release of National Unity Platform presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine.
Several political analysts, human rights activists, politicians, and Ugandans have since criticized the way security forces handled the situation.
