MP Nambooze demands govt action on 13 Ugandans jailed in Mauritius
Nambozo expressed frustration over the apparent lack of support for the detainees, stating that neither the families nor the prisoners have received any official assistance or updates from the government of Uganda.
Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze on Tuesday (10 March) pressed the government for answers on the fate of the individuals, some of whom she said were from her constituency. (File photo)
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Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze has appealed to government to intervene and rescue 13 Ugandan citizens reportedly detained in various prisons in Mauritius.
While in parliament, Nambooze on Tuesday (10 March) pressed the government for answers on the fate of the individuals, some of whom she said were from her constituency. She said two of the detained Ugandans were from her constituency. Speaking in Parliament, she emphasised that “wherever they are, the country does not lose responsibility for its citizens.”
Nambozo expressed frustration over the apparent lack of support for the detainees, stating that neither the families nor the prisoners have received any official assistance or updates from the government of Uganda.
“The family of Deo Ssebuwufu, one of the arrested Ugandans, contacted me and requested that I raise this matter in Parliament,” she said.
“Can we know under what circumstances they were arrested and detained? Is there any possibility of having them serve their sentence here in Uganda?” she asked.
She noted that recently, there were concerns about the treatment and welfare of Ugandans facing legal issues abroad, and the broader question of consular support for citizens in foreign detention.
Responding to Nambooze’s inquiry, Chief Whip Denis Obua urged the MP to provide the government with full details of the detainees.
He explained that once the information is received, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would be tasked with taking diplomatic steps to secure appropriate assistance for the jailed nationals.
“This matter highlights the importance of coordinated action between Parliament and the Foreign Affairs Ministry to ensure the safety and rights of Ugandans abroad,” Obua said.
Legal experts note that Uganda, like many countries, has the right to engage in diplomatic efforts on behalf of citizens serving sentences overseas.
However, the process typically requires detailed information about the individuals, including the nature of the charges, the length of their sentences, and their current legal status.
“For now, families of the detained Ugandans remain in limbo, anxiously awaiting news and hoping for government intervention that could ease the hardships faced by their loved ones,” Nambooze said. ends