By CMP Publications
Toronto, Canada – August 2024
At the Marriott Toronto Airport, a powerful voice resonated through the halls as Clinton Mirrors Ampaire, Director of the Resurgence Network for Human Rights, delivered a stirring speech on the ongoing human rights abuses in Uganda under President Yoweri Museveni’s government. The speech, which drew attention from international human rights organizations, activists, and concerned global citizens, called for urgent intervention by the international community to address the escalating crisis in Uganda.
Ampaire, who has been an outspoken critic of the Museveni regime, did not mince words as he laid bare the grim reality facing millions of Ugandans. He highlighted the regime’s systematic violations of basic human rights, ranging from extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances to the suppression of freedom of expression and political persecution.
“Uganda is bleeding,” Ampaire declared. “For nearly four decades, President Museveni has maintained a firm grip on power, often at the expense of the very rights and freedoms that every human being is entitled to.”
In a speech that was both emotionally charged and factually grounded, Ampaire provided a damning indictment of the Museveni government’s tactics. He spoke of the extrajudicial killings carried out by state security forces, targeting innocent civilians, opposition supporters, and activists. Many have disappeared without a trace, leaving their families in anguish and fear.
Ampaire also drew attention to the regime’s crackdown on freedom of expression, a cornerstone of any democratic society. “Journalists, bloggers, and ordinary citizens who dare to speak out against the government face harassment, intimidation, and imprisonment,” he said. He cited the recent internet shutdowns and media blackouts during elections as examples of the regime’s blatant disregard for the right to free speech.
Political persecution was another key theme of Ampaire’s address. He condemned the arbitrary arrests, torture, and inhumane treatment of opposition leaders and their supporters, tactics that have been used to silence political dissent and undermine the democratic process in Uganda. “The use of military force to intimidate and coerce the electorate is a violation of the democratic process and a stain on Uganda’s reputation,” Ampaire stated.
The speech also touched on the ongoing suffering in Northern Uganda, a region that has long been marginalized and oppressed by the central government. Ampaire criticized the government’s failure to address the grievances of these communities and called for justice and reconciliation.
Ampaire’s message was clear: the international community can no longer afford to stand by and watch as Uganda descends further into repression and violence. He called upon global leaders, human rights organizations, and all people of conscience to take a stand against the injustices being perpetrated by the Museveni regime. “The time for diplomatic niceties is over,” Ampaire urged. “We must demand accountability for those who perpetrate these crimes and support the Ugandan people in their struggle for freedom, dignity, and justice.”
In a direct appeal to the International Criminal Court (ICC), Ampaire urged the court to expedite its investigations into the crimes committed by the Ugandan regime and to bring those responsible to justice. He also called on the United Nations and the African Union to put pressure on the Ugandan government to respect human rights and uphold the rule of law.
The speech ended with a message of hope for the people of Uganda. “Do not lose hope,” Ampaire told his fellow Ugandans. “The road to freedom is long and fraught with challenges, but we must continue to stand together, united in our pursuit of justice. Our voices will not be silenced, and our spirits will not be broken.”
Ampaire’s speech has already garnered significant attention, with many praising his courage and unwavering commitment to the fight for human rights in Uganda. As the international community begins to respond to his call, there is renewed hope that justice will one day prevail in Uganda.