Xavier Radio Ug News 24 7
By Alexander Luyima | The Hoima Post
Uganda is facing one of its darkest moments in recent history. In a rare break from official messaging, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao openly condemned the country’s human rights record, delivering remarks that have stunned both citizens and international observers.
Mao said clearly that he has no duty to defend the situation and that he is deeply disturbed by what is happening. He added that the government has no image left to protect and that, when it comes to human rights, it now stands exposed. His words echo the fear and frustration many Ugandans have been voicing for years.
One of the most painful cases resurfacing after Mao’s comments is the disappearance of Kibalama, a young National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja admitted that he was taken into government custody for alleged crimes. Yet he has never been seen again in any known prison or detention center. His wife later died from stress and trauma, leaving behind two children who now live with the uncertainty of what happened to their father. Their story reflects the human price families pay in this climate of fear.
Across districts like Kampala, Mukono, Masaka, and Wakiso, reports of abductions, enforced disappearances, and nighttime raids have become common. Families describe drone vans coming without warning, taking people without any legal process. A few are returned broken and traumatized. Many never come back.
Human rights groups and eyewitness accounts point to security units under the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, including elements linked to General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Mr. Yoweri Museveni. These units have been repeatedly connected to abductions, torture, and targeted attacks on opposition supporters.
The minister’s remarks also reopen painful memories of NUP supporters who lost their lives in politically charged incidents. These include Yasin Kawuma, shot during the Arua by-election, and Francis Senteza and Ritah Nabukenya, whose deaths have long been tied to security operations. Their names have become symbols of the risks faced by Ugandans who choose to participate in political activities.
At the moment, several NUP supporters remain behind bars on charges many Ugandans believe are politically motivated. Some were arrested for wearing party colors, mobilizing youth, or showing support for Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine. Their families continue to wait for justice in a system they feel is tilted against them.
Mao went further and described himself as an ally of the people. His statement raises questions about whether this signals a genuine shift or a sign of growing pressure within government circles. Either way, it confirms what many Ugandans have long suspected: the state’s grip is weakening, and the truth is harder to hide as the 2026 elections draw closer.
Civil society leaders welcomed Mao’s honesty but stressed that it must be followed by action. They demand the release of political prisoners, credible investigations into extrajudicial killings, and answers in unresolved cases like Kibalama’s disappearance.
Uganda now stands at a critical point. The minister’s confession gives weight to the stories of families who have suffered in silence. With elections approaching, the country faces a choice between addressing these abuses or sinking deeper into repression.
As Mao’s words circulate both locally and internationally, they place Uganda under a spotlight that cannot be ignored. The months ahead will reveal whether this moment becomes a step toward justice or another chapter in a long history of fear.
A full list of documented abductions, killings, and politically motivated imprisonments involving NUP and other opposition groups will follow. It paints a troubling picture of what Uganda has become under more than forty years of military rule and highlights the silence of global powers that claim to value human rights while maintaining strong ties to Kampala.
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