Kampala, September 2, 2024 — The Ugandan government’s use of impunity and double standards in the treatment of its citizens has reached alarming levels, as evidenced by the recent and ongoing cases of arbitrary arrests, torture, and unjust prosecutions. This pattern of abuse was starkly highlighted today at the General Court Martial in Makindye, where Achileo Kivumbi, a victim of state brutality, was produced in court still recovering from the severe pain inflicted upon him during his arrest and detention.
Kivumbi’s ordeal is not an isolated incident but part of a broader narrative of state-sanctioned violence against those who dare to stand against the government’s tyranny. Arrested in connection with the March-to-Parliament protests, Kivumbi was detained at the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI), where he was subjected to continuous beatings as his captors demanded to know his role in the protests. Despite his repeated assertions that he had no involvement and that his only responsibility was ensuring the security of his community, his denials were met with further violence.
In a shocking display of inhumanity, Kivumbi was placed in handcuffs for two days, causing his hands to swell due to the prolonged restraint. This brutal treatment is indicative of the cowardice that has come to define the current Ugandan regime—a regime that relies on torture and intimidation to suppress dissent and maintain its grip on power.
The government’s double standards in administering justice are glaringly evident. While civilians like Kivumbi are tortured, humiliated, and dragged before military courts, those found guilty of serious crimes, including those with access to weapons, are often tried in civilian courts. This selective application of justice underscores the deep-seated corruption and complicity within Uganda’s judicial system, particularly the General Court Martial, which has become a tool of repression rather than a bastion of justice.
The use of military courts to try civilians is not only illegal under international law but also a clear violation of Uganda’s own constitution. It is a blatant disregard for the rule of law and a direct assault on the rights and dignity of Ugandan citizens. Yet, the government continues to employ this strategy to instill fear and silence opposition voices.
The complicity of Uganda’s courts in these abuses cannot be overlooked. The judiciary, which should be the last line of defense for the oppressed, has instead aligned itself with the government’s agenda of repression. By allowing the use of military courts to prosecute civilians, the courts have betrayed the very principles of justice they are supposed to uphold. This betrayal is a stain on Uganda’s legal system and a tragedy for its people.
Achileo Kivumbi’s suffering is a stark reminder of the brutality that thousands of Ugandans have endured at the hands of their own government. Many remain languishing in jails, victims of a system that prioritizes political survival over human rights. The General Court Martial, far from delivering justice, has become a symbol of the government’s unchecked power and impunity.
This reign of terror, however, cannot last forever. History has shown that regimes built on violence and oppression are doomed to fall. The courage of individuals like Kivumbi, who endure unimaginable suffering yet refuse to be silenced, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the inevitability of justice.
Uganda’s government may continue to torture and intimidate its citizens, but it cannot extinguish the flame of freedom that burns in the hearts of the people. The time will come when those who have perpetrated these atrocities will be held accountable, and the people of Uganda will reclaim their rights and their dignity.
The current wave of brutality, sanctioned by a complicit judiciary, only serves to delay the inevitable fall of this regime. Justice will prevail, and the cowards who hide behind the machinery of the state will one day be brought to account for their crimes against the people of Uganda.