On Saturday, April 20th, 2024, members of the NUP Diaspora Ottawa Chapter gathered in the Canadian capital to raise awareness about Uganda’s serious human rights violations and economic issues under President Yoweri Museveni’s regime. This demonstration aimed to draw international attention to these critical challenges.
During the event, participants denounced severe human rights abuses in Uganda, including the abduction and forced disappearance of civilians, particularly those associated with opposition groups, along with the arbitrary detention and military trials of political opponents. These violations go against Uganda’s constitutional principles and the concept of due process.
The demonstration also addressed the economic problems facing Uganda. The demonstrators expressed solidarity with the business community and ordinary citizens burdened by high taxes and inadequate government services. They highlighted that much of Uganda’s national debt, nearing Shs 100 trillion, is mismanaged by Museveni’s officials.
The demonstrators urged the Canadian government to take the following steps to address these issues:
- Impose Sanctions: Freeze assets and impose travel bans on Ugandan officials involved in human rights abuses.
- Support Civil Society: Increase funding for Ugandan civil society groups advocating for human rights and democracy.
- Demand Electoral Reforms: Promote fair and transparent elections with international monitoring and reforms.
- Investigate Eastern Congo Involvement: Investigate Museveni’s role in the violence in eastern Congo.
- Protect Freedom of Expression: Advocate for repealing laws that restrict civil liberties and ensure freedom of speech.
- Secure Release of Political Prisoners: Demand the immediate release of political prisoners and victims of forced disappearances.
- End Military Trials: Stop trying civilians in military courts and ensure proper legal representation.
The event emphasized Canada’s leverage through its significant imports from Uganda, valued at over $32 million, to push for improved human rights and governance in Uganda.
The demonstration also drew attention to Uganda’s hosting of nearly 1.6 million refugees and the alleged exploitation of this crisis by General Museveni for personal gain, particularly in eastern Congo.
The NUP Diaspora Ottawa Chapter called for urgent action from the Canadian government to support democracy, end sponsorship of dictatorship, and protect human rights in Uganda.
Dr. Daniel Kawuma, leader of the NUP Diaspora team, reaffirmed the community’s commitment to these causes and called for swift international intervention to address Uganda’s critical issues.
