President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reiterated that it is illegal to arrest someone and detain him/her for more than 48 hours without taking them to the Courts of law.
According to the President, in case such arrests happen, the public, especially the leaders should document how the victims were arrested and not taken to court, then take the facts to the responsible authorities for action.
“You can do work for the people in whatever government that is in power, even if you don’t support it. You use the positiveness of that government to support your people. If like in this case, you are being arrested, If I’m a Councillor or a Member of Parliament, I would document how the people were arrested and not taken to court, bring facts and confront the Prime Minister there- Nabbanja but with facts, not just come because some of these people may not have time to cross-check, you need to help them with facts because you want to help your people,” he said.
The President made the remarks on Friday 22nd December 2023 during an interactive session with the media at State House, Entebbe. The President and the journalists discussed a wide range of issues on security, trade, politics, and land, among others.
President Museveni noted that as a leader, his role is to crosscheck for facts on the illegal arrests and then discipline the misbehaving parties.
“The other day there was a debate in parliament where the Minister of State for Internal Affairs Gen. Muhoozi made a statement to answer the issue of people whom they say are missing. I was not following but I came to know that these pro-opposition people, when there’s an issue, go to the NGOs to report to Uganda that they have arrested and made someone disappear. Okay, if someone goes missing, report it to the Police station, not the NGO. That is why the information doesn’t come but if such incidents happen report to the police station, document it in the book that you reported, if action is not taken, then we shall know whom to blame,” he said while responding to a question raised by Mr Meddie Nsereko of CBS Radio regarding the issue of detentions without trial.
“So, these arrests are illegal and the way to fight them is by the people in authority but also the public should use the democratic structures they have to expose illegal arrests because that was really the purpose why NRM put them up.”
On the issue of land reforms, the President promised that the government is working toward solving the matter.
“The good thing is that we are moving forward and at the right time, we shall deal with the issue of the land. The 1998 Land Act was very strong because it protected the bibanja and when you see people being evicted it is because they don’t know about that land act. We also have the issue of the elite not helping the ordinary people. That is part of the problem, otherwise, the existing law would protect those people,” President Museveni responded to Mr. David Lumu of New Vision.
On the other hand, the President promised to issue an Executive Order to kick the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers out of land matters.
“We have discussed it in the cabinet, they will get out and they should not be part of land matters,” said President Museveni before revealing that the government is also ready to act on the matter of the issuance of multiple land titles. Gen. Museveni informed Ms. Dorah Atwongyeire of Next Media.
The media interaction session was moderated by the Senior Press Secretary to H.E. the President, Mr. Sandor Walusimbi and the Deputy Press Secretary to H.E. the President, Mr. Faruk Kirunda.
The meeting was also attended by the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, and the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa.
