Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka has revealed that 25% of the government cases against the 1,088 Ugandans that were arrested during the November 2020 riots were dismissed by courts of law.

While appearing before the Parliament Human Rights Committee today (March 17, 2022), the Attorney General further revealed that out of the 1088 cases, they have successfully had 66 prosecuted and convicted and that some cases are still under inquiry.

Kiryowa told the committee that although the events of November 2022 are regrettable as they led to the death of over 56 Ugandans who were shot dead by security officers, the incidents were caused by the opposition leaders who defied the requirement to comply with the COVID-19 standard operating procedures.

The arrest of the National Unity Platform Presidential candidate in the course of presidential campaigns on November 18, 2020, ignited deadly riots in various parts of the country during which several Ugandans were shot dead.

The Attorney General told the committee that the security agencies responded to restore order in the country.

“It is a constitutional duty of government to maintain law and order and to keep the lives and properties of Ugandans,” Kiryowa explained.

The Attorney General attributed the current public concerns about human rights violations to the increased human rights awareness in the country.

On the remedies for stopping human rights violations, Kiryowa said the ministry of justice is in the course of drafting a National Action Plan on Human Rights which government would use to address related challenges.