Bishop Mukasa Urges Swift Justice for Election Detainees in Uganda

Kasana-Luwero Bishop Lawrence Mukasa urged authorities to expedite trials for individuals detained over election-related incidents, emphasizing that prolonged remand undermines justice.

During his address at Kasana Cathedral following Easter Mass on Sunday, the bishop pointed to several arrests from the recent polls, including Butambala County MP Muwanga Kivumbi, who has been held since February 17 alongside 24 others.

They face charges of terrorism and murder tied to violent clashes in Butambala after Kivumbi lost his seat to an independent candidate. Prosecutors claim the group aimed to intimidate the government, resulting in at least seven deaths during an alleged attack on a police station and electoral tally center.

Katikamu North MP Denis Ssekabira criticized prison conditions at Kitalya, noting minors detained with adults in violation of constitutional protections under Article 34 and the Children Act.

Kivumbi’s defense, headed by MP Medard Lubega Sseggona, rejects the prosecution’s narrative, alleging security forces raided his home at night, firing on peaceful supporters and causing ten deaths. They accuse police of bias, extrajudicial killings, and initially blocking access to lawyers and family.

Kivumbi has refused to give a statement due to distrust in investigators, with video evidence purportedly showing chaos at his residence. The arrests came after President Yoweri Museveni labeled Butambala a terrorism hotspot in his post-election speech.

The case echoes past detentions like that of the late Muhammad Ssegirinya. Defense plans to seek High Court release, arguing the Magistrate’s court cannot handle capital charges. Prison officials have not commented on the allegations.

Source: The Observer (Uganda)