Activists demand probe into recent countrywide riots

VIOLENCE | UGANDA DECIDES 2021 |

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have demanded a comprehensive probe into the recent riots that left 52 people dead and several others injured.

The riots were sparked off by the arrest of presidential candidates Robert Kyagulanyi and Patrick Amuriat Oboi.

Xavier Ejoyi, the country director of ActionAid Uganda, said accountability should not only be from people who were throwing stones, but also those who shot people during the riots.

To ensure justice for victims of the unfortunate incidents, Ejoyi said: "We need a full investigation, stating clearly the people who were killed, the circumstances in which they were killed and who killed them."

He made the remarks during a press conference about the ongoing election campaigns at the Uganda National NGO Forum headquarters in Kansanga, Kampala on Monday.

On November 18, Kyagulanyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Amuriat of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) were arrested by security agents in Luuka and Gulu districts respectively, for allegedly not adhering to the Electoral Commission guidelines. Riots ensued in several districts across the country. The Police said over 800 people were arrested.

"Although we have seen a number of people arrested, we have not heard of security personnel arrested, yet this is an important dimension of accountability we want to see," Ejoyi said. He said whether it is the Police or military deployed during elections, they should operate within the law and not blatantly kill people and think they can get away with it.

On the issue of compensation of victims, Rev Fr Constantine Mbonabingi, the executive secretary of Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) wondered which procedure President Yoweri Museveni would use in order to reach out to the rightfully affected people.

Since there is nothing the Government can do to restore somebody's life, Mbonabingi said: "President Museveni should ensure that shooting of people is stopped."

On Sunday, Museveni said the Government will compensate all those who innocently lost their lives in the riots. He said the Government will also compensate those who lost their property if it can be verified.

About the military deployment,  Benson Okwee Ocen, the executive director of the Public Affairs Centre Uganda said next year's election seems to be quite unique because of increased security presence.

"Way before the voting, we are seeing an increase in deployment of the military and it seems they have taken over the elections. Are we having a military operation in the elections?" Ocen asked.

To prevent more deaths arising out of election-related demonstrations, the observers have demanded that deployment of the military be reviewed and scaled-down.

"If we are to have a credible free and peaceful election, leaders need to stop using inciteful language," Ocen said.

Instead of the Electoral Commission writing a letter to the Inspector General of Police requesting the Police to stop interfering with candidates' campaigns, Moses Isooba, the executive director of Uganda National NGO Forum advised the EC to issue directives to players in the elections.

Isooba said the use of lethal force by security agents which led to the loss of lives should stop and the officers responsible for the killings be held accountable for their actions.