Supporting Bobiwine criminalized in Uganda

As I read the update from our President Bobi Wine and Secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya about the bail application for the 32 Bobiwine Supporters who have been detained without trial for two years, my heart sank. The military court’s decision to grant bail to only four out of 32 is yet again a crushing blow to justice and a clear indication of persecution rather than prosecution.

What makes this situation even more heartbreaking is the fact that most of the sureties for the remaining 28 political prisoners were their mothers, fathers, and spouses. Yet, the military court deemed their sureties “insufficient” and denied them bail for the fourth time. I meant the fourth Time.
This is not just a matter of legal procedure or technicalities; it is a matter of human dignity and basic human rights. These comrades have been robbed of their freedom for two long years, TWO LONG YEARS and now their families are suffering the anguish of not knowing when, or if, they will ever be reunited with their loved ones.

As I think of the old parents of these comrades, I can only imagine the pain and heartache they must be going through. No parent should have to watch their child languish in jail, without even the chance of a fair trial most especially with such fabricated charges. These elderly people should be enjoying their golden years with their loved ones, not worrying about the fate of their children. It’s heartbreaking to see them suffer like this.

My heart goes out to all 32 of them, especially the 28 who were denied bail. Segujja Rashid, Sekitoleko Yasin, Robert Rugumayo, Muhydin Kakooza Sanya, Patrick Mwase, Simon Kijambu, Abdu Matovu, Olivia Lutaaya, Ronald Kijambo, Sharif Kalanzi, Joseph Muwonge, Mesach Kiwanuka, Abdallah kintu, Umar Emma Kato, Kavuma Musa, Ibrahim Wandera, Asbert Nagwere, Steven Masakulu, Jimmy Galukande, Paul Muwanguzi, Sharif Matovu, Davis Matabi, Abdallah Gibusiwa, Livingstone Katushabe, Swaibu Katabi, Sirajji Mudebo, Joseph Muganza, and Stanley Lwanga. You are not forgotten, and we will never stop fighting for you.

We cannot let this injustice stand. As Citizens of this Land we must continue to raise our voices and demand the release of these political prisoners. We must keep the pressure on until they are all granted bail and ultimately set free.

Let us use the power of our collective voice regardless of our differences in our respective capacities and unique responsibilities to say loud and clear: #BringBackOurPeople and #FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners. #peoplepower Banange tunalinda paka di???