ALIEN SKIN : NRM-Aligned Singer Granted Bail as Innocent NUP Supporters Rot in Jail

The recent release on bail of Ugandan artist Alien Skin, who is aligned with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), contrasts sharply with the prolonged detention of National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters, shedding light on the glaring inequalities in Uganda’s justice system. These disparities expose issues of selective justice, corruption, and human rights violations, raising serious concerns about the independence of Uganda’s judiciary and governance structures. Uganda, under the nearly four-decade rule of President Yoweri Museveni, has faced mounting criticism for human rights violations and press oppression. The government’s relentless clampdown on dissent, freedom of expression, and political opposition underscores an entrenched authoritarian regime prioritizing power consolidation over democratic principles.

Selective Justice: Alien Skin vs. NUP Supporters

Alien Skin’s Swift Bail

Alien Skin’s arrest for allegedly assaulting medical staff at Nsambya Hospital made headlines after video evidence of the incident went viral. Despite the severity of the charges, he was granted bail within two weeks, illustrating how public pressure and connections can expedite legal processes for individuals with influence.

In stark contrast, many NUP supporters arrested during the 2020 general elections remain detained, some for over three years, without trial or sufficient evidence. Accused of vague offenses such as terrorism or for merely wearing red berets (a symbol associated with the opposition), these individuals are victims of prolonged detention, in clear violation of Uganda’s constitutional guarantees of due process and fair trial.

1. Arbitrary Arrests and Detentions

Opposition supporters, human rights activists, and ordinary citizens face frequent arrests without trial.

• Enforced Disappearances: Numerous individuals, especially members of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), have been abducted by security forces. Some remain unaccounted for, while others are detained in “safe houses” where reports of torture are rampant.
• Targeting Opposition Figures: NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) and his supporters have been repeatedly arrested and harassed.

2. Torture and Extrajudicial Killings

Reports by international watchdogs like Human Rights Watch reveal the pervasive use of torture in detention facilities.

• Security forces employ brutal methods to extract confessions or intimidate detainees.
• Incidents of extrajudicial killings, especially during the 2020 election protests, underscore the regime’s disregard for life. Dozens of peaceful protesters were shot dead by security forces, with no accountability.

3. Suppression of Freedom of Assembly

Public gatherings are met with violent crackdowns.

• 2020 Protests: Demonstrations against election irregularities saw mass arrests and brutal dispersal by police and military forces.
• Opposition rallies are often banned or disrupted under the guise of “public safety.”

4. Legal and Policy Manipulation

Laws are weaponized to silence dissent.

• The Public Order Management Act (POMA) restricts assembly and grants police unchecked authority to shut down events.
• The Anti-Homosexuality Act (2023) further entrenches discrimination and is used as a tool to intimidate LGBTQ+ activists.

Press Oppression

1. Harassment of Journalists

Journalists face arrests, beatings, and threats while covering politically sensitive issues.

• In 2020, multiple reporters covering opposition activities were attacked by police and military personnel.
• Media houses perceived as critical of the government have faced shutdowns, suspension of licenses, or heavy fines.

2. Censorship and Intimidation

The government tightly controls information flow to the public.

• Internet Shutdowns: During the 2021 general elections, a total internet blackout was imposed to curb the dissemination of information and stifle opposition communication.
• Surveillance: Journalists and activists are monitored, with many reporting hacked devices and intercepted communications.

3. Media Restrictions

State-aligned regulatory bodies impose strict conditions on independent media.

• Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) often issues directives targeting critical broadcasters.
• Foreign journalists face restrictions or are denied accreditation, further limiting international scrutiny.

Museveni’s regime systematically undermines Uganda’s Constitution, fostering a culture of impunity that jeopardizes democratic values.

• Judicial independence is eroded as courts frequently side with the regime, particularly in cases against opposition leaders.
• Electoral processes are marred by intimidation, vote-rigging, and violence, undermining citizens’ faith in governance.

Civil society organizations advocating for human rights are heavily restricted. Many have had their operations suspended or funding frozen, forcing them to halt critical activities.

Despite condemnation from global human rights organizations and sanctions from some Western nations, the Museveni government continues to resist accountability, emboldened by military aid and strategic alliances with powerful nations.

Under Museveni’s rule, Uganda’s human rights landscape has deteriorated into a state of repression and fear. Arbitrary arrests, torture, suppression of the press, and persecution of dissenters highlight a regime unwilling to uphold democratic norms. To combat these injustices, there is an urgent need for:

• Judicial reforms to ensure accountability.
• International pressure to hold the regime accountable.
• Empowered civil society and opposition movements to advocate for freedom and justice.

Without immediate action, the Museveni junta’s violations will continue to erode Uganda’s foundations of democracy and human rights.

The prolonged detention of NUP supporters highlights the government’s use of the judiciary as a tool to suppress opposition voices, showcasing authoritarian tendencies.

Despite repeated calls for reforms and interventions by global human rights bodies, Uganda’s government continues to resist accountability, further emboldening systemic abuses.

Uganda’s justice system requires urgent reforms to ensure:

• Judicial independence free from political interference.
• Accountability mechanisms to curb corruption and impunity.
• Respect for human rights, particularly for marginalized groups and political dissenters.

The stark differences in the treatment of Alien Skin and NUP supporters reveal a justice system that prioritizes privilege over principle. Without reforms, Uganda risks deepening its democratic deficits and alienating its citizens from the institutions meant to serve them.

The fight for justice in Uganda is not just a legal battle but a moral one—essential for the country’s progress toward true democracy and equity.

Related