The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, led a group of opposition lawmakers to Luzira Prison on Wednesday , where they met with political prisoners, particularly those whose cases are still pending after being tried by the General Court Martial.
The visit comes at a time when these prisoners are expressing deep concerns over the government’s proposed amendments to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Act, which they fear will prolong their detention.
The delegation, which included MPs Frank Kabuye, Betty Nambooze, Patrick Nsamba, Gareth Namugga, Esther Naluyima, and Francisco Zaake, was particularly focused on the delays in transferring the prisoners’ cases to civilian courts, a move the government has yet to complete despite a Supreme Court ruling barring the trial of civilians in military courts.
Ssenyonyi emphasised that the political prisoners believe the delays in transferring their files are linked to the looming UPDF Act amendments, which they fear will allow the military to retain jurisdiction over their cases, thus keeping them in detention indefinitely.
“These prisoners are rightfully concerned about the delay in transferring their cases,” Ssenyonyi said.
“The government is engineering these amendments to keep them in jail, which goes against the constitution, particularly Article 92, which prohibits laws that override court decisions.”
The opposition leader also expressed concern over the treatment of these prisoners, who claim to be victims of ongoing persecution.
He pointed out that these individuals had already been granted the right to a fair trial under the Constitution, yet are still being held without due process.
“The Supreme Court has already made its ruling, so why is the government still ignoring the law and continuing with their persecution?” Ssenyonyi asked, noting that the political prisoners’ rights were being violated.
The MPs also spoke with Dr. Kizza Besigye, the former FDC leader and a prominent political figure who has been an outspoken critic of the government’s handling of political dissent.
Besigye, who has faced numerous legal battles, voiced his strong objections to the treatment of political suspects.
He accused the government of treating them like convicted criminals, rather than individuals entitled to the presumption of innocence.
“The treatment of these individuals, who are still awaiting trial, is a violation of their rights,” Besigye said. “They are being kept in conditions that resemble those of convicts, which is an affront to justice and human dignity.”
Aside from concerns over their legal battles, the political prisoners also raised issues about the conditions within the overcrowded prison cells, which have worsened the already dire situation.
The MPs expressed solidarity with the prisoners’ plight and vowed to amplify their calls for justice in Parliament.
Ssenyonyi further criticised the financial incentives allegedly offered to MPs for passing bills, such as the Coffee Bill and the upcoming amendment Bill, which he suggested were designed to maintain the status quo of political repression.
“If MPs are being paid to pass these bills, it shows that there is a clear intention to keep these people locked up unjustly,” he said.
The opposition MPs vowed to continue their efforts to ensure that the rights of the political prisoners are respected, and that any legislation that could potentially infringe on their freedoms will be opposed.
They also called for immediate reforms to address the congestion and inhumane conditions within Uganda’s prisons.