NICHOLAS A
Members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction in Rukungiri district have expressed concerns over what they describe as the escalating persecution of opposition leaders and supporters in Uganda. Their frustrations follow the recent apprehension of former FDC president Dr. Kiiza Besigye.
Speaking to reporters, Aloysious Mugarura, the Rukungiri district FDC Katonga faction chairperson, criticized the government for what he termed as unlawful treatment of party supporters and leaders.
He also condemned the arrest of Dr. Kiiza Besigye, who was apprehended in Kenya under unclear circumstances. “Besigye had committed no crime,” Mugarura emphasized.
Yesterday, Dr. Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obed Rutale, 65, were arraigned before the General Court-martial in Makindye, Kampala. They face four counts of security-related offenses, including unlawful possession of firearms, allegedly committed at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi, Kenya. Both pleaded not guilty and were remanded until December 2024.
Tumuhimbise Innocent Rubarondesa, one of the 36 arrested FDC members, also spoke out, accusing the Ugandan government of marginalizing opposition parties and their supporters.
The arrests and ongoing detentions have fueled criticism from opposition members, who view these actions as part of a broader strategy to silence political opponents.
