GENEVA: The United Nations deplored Wednesday an intensifying crackdown on the opposition and media in Uganda ahead of next month’s general election, urging impartial investigations into alleged arbitrary arrests, disappearances and “torture.”
The UN rights office highlighted “credible reports” indicating that at least 550 people, including members and supporters of the main opposition National Unity Platform party (NUP) and presidential candidate Bobi Wine, had been arrested and detained since the start of the year.
More than 300 of them had been arrested since campaigning began in September ahead of the January 15 presidential vote, as President Yoweri Museveni seeks to extend his 40-year rule.
“Many of those arrested remain in custody, facing charges ranging from public nuisance and disobedience of lawful orders to assault, obstruction, and incitement of violence,” it said in a statement.
The rights office also pointed to how heavily armed security forces had been deployed at locations where NUP was scheduled to conduct rallies.
