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Museveni wants 48 hour detention scrapped for suspects
Ugandan tyrant Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni wants the constitution amended to extend detention period for suspects in what appears to be another draconian measure to crack down on the dissent.
Despite the 48 hour arrangement, suspects could be held for months, if not years, in prison before being released on bond. The latest example is that of two MPs – Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana – allied to Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP), who were in detention for more than 18 months. They were released in February.
Though perennially abused, human rights lawyers argue that the 48-hour detention limit remains vital and its removal is unnecessary. “Although it’s one of the most ignored provisions of the constitution, it’s also one of the biggest pillars on which victims of illegal detention base to challenge their illegal detention,” Eron Kiiza, a human rights lawyer, tells The Africa Report.