Museveni takes swipe at 'so called' human rights defenders, calls them idlers

President Museveni has lashed out at people claiming to be human rights defenders saying most of them are being used to achieve imperialists’ interests by reporting Uganda in bad light.

Museveni’s comments were carried in a letter he wrote to the Speaker of Parliament dated August 31, 2018.

In the letter, Museveni maintains that people should refrain from using the word torture in reference to the circumstances surrounding select members of parliament; Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and Francis Butebi Zaake until there is conclusive report on the findings by a select committee.

“..I would like to advise that we await the outcome of the investigations (into the allegations of wrong doing if any) currently being carried out under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Forces and Inspector General of Police and refrain from use of the word torture until we establish the full facts of the events of that day,” Museveni said.

Museveni went on to defend specific actions by the security forces, like in event of using ‘reasonable force’ while dealing with suspects resisting arrest or in self defence.

It should be noted that the army had earlier indicated that Zaake and Bobi Wine sustained injuries during a fight with the forces dispatched to arrest them. Museveni singled out Bobi Wine whom he accused of boxing an officer of the Special Forces Command (SFC).

Following Zaake and Bobi Wine’s ordeal, a report from the Uganda Human Rights Commission indicated that Bobi Wine had informed the commission that he had been severely tortured.

Several members of the public and prominent persons also arose, to condemn government for the alleged torture on Bobi Wine and violation of human rights.

However, Museveni in his letter took a swipe at the so called human rights defenders urging them to stop wasting time.

“As for the cacophony of the so called human rights defenders, in reality agents of imperialists’ interests and their local lackeys, I would advise them to stop wasting their time in Uganda which has got capable systems and institutions beginning with a competent and professional army that can decisively handle whatever problem or shortcoming that we may encounter.”

“It is clear that these idlers are enjoying our good roads and staying in nice and brand new hotels in Arua and Gulu built during the NRM government filing malicious stories against Uganda using our first class internet backbone. They hope by so doing, to slow down or even reverse the gains of Uganda,” he added

Museveni said the aims of such people will not be achieved as those who fought for Uganda and successive younger generations that are patriotic, working with peace-loving forces in the world, are rapidly building Uganda.

“Rt Hon Speaker, as you may be aware, only this week, I commissioned two tea factories in Bushenyi District, a cement factory in Tororo and an electronic appliances factory in Ntinda. Uganda is on a rapidly developing curve and the NRM government shall not be side tracked by idlers spreading false stories about Uganda.”