Simeo Muwanga Nsubuga a Commissioner with Uganda Human Rights Commission has warned security commanders on foreign travel bans and sanctions a head of the coming 2026 general elections.
Nsubuga noted that violations of human rights is no longer a local issue but observed internationally and those involved in doing so are punished in different ways including slapping travel sanctions on them and confiscating their properties and assets that they kept in developed countries
He added that the sanctions are not only affecting the individual commanders but also their immediate families and business partners.
It is on this ground that Nsubuga is advising them to be very careful when handling issues involving violation of people’s rights because when time to give answers comes, they will answer individually not in groups.
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He said that Uganda Human Rights Commission receives a lot of human rights violation complaints during the elections period. He added that it’s not only the security personnels that are involved but also private individuals especially politicians from both the ruling NRM and opposition.
“As a Commission, our ears and eyes are more open during this period that we are going in. I encourage people always to come and file with us their complaints of human rights violations, the cuprit’s will be punished as the law requires,” Nsubuga said
He said that on several occasions, they have met security bosses and encouraged them to stop overseeing the violation of human rights and lectured them on the bad side of it noting that change is being exhibited.
He further advised the public to stop provoking security personal by using abusive language because they are also human beings who get annoyed when abused
Nsubuga’s warning comes at a time when Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao has just recently assured opposition politicians that they will be silenced once they involve themselves in unruly political campaigns in the coming elections.
“The elections are going to be peaceful. There will be no processions. There will be no processions. You will announce where your rally is and drive there straight, if the people are there, they will listen to you, and they will go home. Then, on Election Day, people will vote. This is going to be the quietest election you have ever seen in the world. It is going to be quiet. And those who don’t want to be quiet will be made quite,” Mao said
His statements follow a warning from Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba the Chief of Défense Forces (CDF) who assured the country that Special Forces Command (SFC) will be in control of all presidential candidate security which was confirmed by Julius Musinguzi the spokesperson of the Uganda Electoral Commission.
However, National Unity Platform(NUP) Principal Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine) assured Mao that the campaigns are not going to be silent as he ordered.
Wine insists that as NUP, they are going to shout on top of their voices by encouraging Ugandans to vote for change and remove Museveni from power.
He was supported by Mawogola South legislator Gorreth Namugga who assured security that processions will be carried out during their political campaigns.
Namugga revealed that immediately after being nominated, Bobi Wine will hold his political rally in Katwe playground before proceeding to Natete playground on some day.
Nsubuga’s warning comes at a time when United States of America, European Union members, United Kingdom and other developed countries have slapped sanctions on top Ugandan officials who include: The Speaker of parliament Annet Anita Among, police’s director of operations Frank Mwesigwa, Maj Gen Abel Kandiho, Maj Gen Don Nabasa, Maj Gen James Birungi, Gen Edward Kale Kayihura and a number of others on allegations of human rights violations.
