Kampala, Uganda – In a chilling account shared on Twitter, human rights activist Agatha Atuhaire narrated her recent experience of being threatened by security operatives under the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI). This revelation sheds light on the increasing intimidation faced by young Ugandans under President Yoweri Museveni’s regime.
On Thursday, August 1, 2024, Atuhaire’s elder sister received a menacing call from someone claiming to have a message from CMI. The caller insisted on meeting her despite her attempts to discourage them. The meeting took place at Quality Mall in Lubowa, where three men confronted her. They confirmed her identity by noting her resemblance to Atuhaire and delivered a stark warning: if Atuhaire did not cease her activities, she would be killed.
“They told her they know where I jog, and that someone is always following me, ready to run me over or bump me off the road,” Atuhaire recounted. The men accused Atuhaire of receiving foreign funds to incite young people to protest, dismissing her sister’s explanation that the money was for aiding those arrested during demonstrations.
In an unsettling twist, one of the men purportedly called a superior named Birungi, the head of CMI, to emphasize their threats. Although they withheld their names, witnesses identified two of the men as Muzoora and Chris Bya-something, while the third remained unidentified.
Atuhaire’s Twitter post serves as a public record of these threats, intended to ensure that “if something happens to me or any of my family members, well-meaning Ugandans will know where to start.”
The gravity of the situation is further compounded by reports of torture and abuse faced by youths detained for protesting against corruption. Several detainees have shared harrowing accounts on social media, detailing severe mistreatment at the hands of SP Joel Ntabu, also known as “Matsiko,” the Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigations at Kampala Central Police Station.
The police have responded to these allegations, with Luke Owoyesigyire, Deputy Spokesperson for Kampala Metropolitan Police, stating that an investigation into SP Ntabu could be initiated if sufficient evidence is provided. He urged victims and witnesses to submit their evidence to the CID headquarters or the Uganda Human Rights Commission.
Despite these assurances, skepticism remains high among activists and the public. Many fear that the regime’s long-standing impunity will prevent any meaningful action from being taken.
As the Museveni government continues to face criticism for its oppressive tactics, the voices of young Ugandans like Agatha Atuhaire and the victims of torture underscore the urgent need for accountability and justice. The international community’s attention to these abuses is crucial in pressuring the regime to uphold human rights and protect its citizens from further harm.