Opposition political parties have condemned what they describe as a growing climate of fear and intimidation in Uganda, accusing those in power of stifling dissent and undermining constitutional governance.
Speaking at a joint press conference held at the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) headquarters in Kampala on Wednesday, leaders from the Uganda People's Congress (UPC), People's Front for Freedom (PFF), People's Progressive Party (PPP) and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) said the country faces a political impasse that requires urgent dialogue.
UPC President Jimmy Akena said the opposition was concerned about what it described as increasing intimidation of political actors.
“We are witnessing a rising wave of intimidation and a climate of fear that is stifling dissent,” Akena said.
The leaders said they would not be silenced by threats and called for direct engagement with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to ease political tensions.
FDC National Chairperson Salamu Musumba said dialogue between the opposition and the NRM was necessary to resolve the current political situation.
“We are calling for urgent dialogue with the NRM leadership to resolve the current impasse and reduce the growing political tension in the country,” Musumba said.
The opposition also questioned what it described as the silence of institutions mandated to uphold the Constitution, arguing that their failure to speak out had emboldened actions they believe threaten democratic governance.
They directed much of their criticism at the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, accusing him of making public statements that intimidate Parliament, the Judiciary, the media and political actors.
People's Front for Freedom member Dr Lulume Bayigga said the opposition was also seeking clarity from the NRM on the country's lines of authority, arguing that uncertainty over leadership was contributing to the current political tensions.
“They now want the ruling party NRM to provide clarity on who is in charge of the country, in addition to engaging in dialogue to resolve the current impasse and tension,” he said.
The opposition leaders also called on the Speaker of Parliament to publicly distance the House from the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), arguing that Parliament must maintain its institutional independence.
“The Speaker should apologise and disown the pressure group dubbed PLU if Parliament is to remain independent,” Bayigga said.
The ruling National Resistance Movement had not publicly responded to the opposition's demands by the time of publication.
