Spokesperson of the National Unity Platform (NUP) Mr. Joel Senyonyi (L), Former legislator and official of Buganda Kingdom Israel Mayengo (R). Courtesy Photos.
44 years ago, Anglican Archbishop Janani Luwum was assassinated when he took a bold step and demanded that Idi Amin, then President of Uganda, put an end to extrajudicial killings, political repression, injustice and corruption among others.
As Ugandans remember the outspoken cleric this week, politicians especially those from the opposition have expressed concern over the country state of affairs asserting, “Years later, Amin tendencies are back.”
Amin ruled Uganda from 1971 to 1979, during which time human rights groups estimate that 100,000 to 500,000 people were killed.
“Today, we remember Archbishop Janani Luwum, who was murdered by Amin in 1977 for pointing out his evil deeds. Years later, Amin tendencies are back,” the spokesperson of the National Unity Platform (NUP) Mr. Joel Senyonyi said, in a statement posted on his official Facebook account.
Mr Senyonyi stated that those opposed to President Yoweri Museveni’s regime “are killed, abducted and others tried in a military court on trumped up charges.”
Former legislator and official of Buganda Kingdom Israel Mayengo said during a televised interview on one local station Tuesday that he compares Janan Luwum with Martin Luther King.
“The reason for commemorating days like this is to avoid circumstances that caused the death of people like the Bishop,”he said.
“Luwum’s life is supposed to inspire us but hasn’t. The things he died for are still here. Kidnaps, torture, and murders are still here,” Mayengo continued.
“Talking about these things and acting are two different things. The constitution forbids torture but torture happens daily,” he said.
During the interview, Mr Mayengo pushed for a constitution in Uganda that will make sure the tribes are existing harmoniously and one that will not be picked from present Members of Parliament. “I would suggest a commission made of people who will never take part in any partisan politics,” he said.
A spate of disappearances linked to 14th January, 2021 general presidential election have raised alarm among members of the opposition and the families of those kidnapped.
Relatives of the victims purport that their loved ones are beaten severely by Plain-clothed individuals before being placed in vehicles with no number plates and taken to unknown places. They told local media sources that they have failed to trace where their family members are being held.
Interior Minister General Jeje Odongo told the parliament that the government has so far arrested only 31 NUP members on suspicions of planning a rebellion and have vowed that such operations would continue.
Odongo said 44 people had been reported kidnapped and 31 were still missing, however while addressing NUP members at his home at Magere earlier this month, Bobi Wine said an estimated 3,000 party members have been abducted.
“Over 3,000 of our supporters have been abducted by security agencies. We condemn such acts that violate human rights.”
President Museveni spoke at an international memorial organized in 2015 by the Anglican Church of Uganda to mark Luwum’s life. He declared every Feb. 16 a public holiday.
“He chose to die for the truth,” Museveni said that time at the memorial in Luwum’s home village and burial site, 14 miles north of Kitgum in northern Uganda. “We salute him for that, and we shall always be grateful to his memory forever.”
