President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni hosted the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Rt. Hon. Sam Matekane, at State House, Entebbe on Tuesday. The two leaders discussed deepening the long-standing ties between Uganda and Lesotho.
“We are very glad to have you here in Uganda. While we share a strong brotherhood, we have not fully leveraged our relationship to foster greater cooperation,” President Museveni stated.
He emphasized Uganda’s self-sufficiency in food production, highlighting the country’s abundant agricultural resources.
“We produce a lot of food here. We don’t import any, except for those Europeanized people who import bread and rice. Personally, I don’t eat bread or rice, but we have an abundance of indigenous foods like bananas and millet,” he said.
Museveni also noted that Uganda produces 5.3 billion liters of milk annually, far exceeding the domestic consumption of 800 million liters, and invited Lesotho to explore investment opportunities in Uganda’s dairy sector.
Turning to education, President Museveni offered scholarships to youth from Lesotho to study agriculture in Uganda, expressing a desire to share Uganda’s expertise. He also reflected on the historical connection between the two countries, recalling how many Ugandans found refuge in Lesotho during Idi Amin’s regime.
On medical cooperation, Museveni expressed Uganda’s readiness to collaborate with Lesotho in vaccine production for both humans and animals. He proposed establishing a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize this partnership.
Prime Minister Matekane expressed deep gratitude for the warm welcome and highlighted the strong historical ties between Lesotho and Uganda. He praised Uganda’s leadership within the African Union and its efforts in ensuring regional security.
He also commended Uganda’s economic progress, noting that Lesotho looks forward to deepening cooperation in key sectors, including food and livestock production, skills development, and capacity building.
Matekane introduced Lesotho’s candidate for the position of Commonwealth Secretary-General, Mr. Joshua Phoho Setipa, to President Museveni, seeking Uganda’s support in the upcoming election. President Museveni expressed his support for Setipa, wishing him good luck.
In conclusion, on behalf of His Majesty King Letsie III, Prime Minister Matekane extended an official invitation to President Museveni to attend Lesotho’s 200th-anniversary commemoration of its founding. He expressed deep gratitude for Uganda’s continued friendship and support.
Among the Ugandan officials in attendance were Hon. Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF); Hon. Wilson Muruli Mukasa, Minister of Public Service; Hon. Sarah Mateke, Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs; Lt. Gen. Samuel Okiding, Deputy Chief of Defence Forces; and Ms. Rosette Byengoma, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs.
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Ugandan Citizen Abducted, Held in Secret Detention for Three Months, Sparks Outrage and Calls for Justice
A disturbing new case of unlawful detention has surfaced, highlighting the ongoing human rights crisis in Uganda. A Ugandan citizen was reportedly abducted and held in a secret facility, known as a “safe house,” for three months, only to be released without charge or explanation. This incident, reported by NTV Uganda, has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for accountability regarding human rights abuses in the country.
While the details surrounding the abduction remain unclear, reports indicate that the individual was taken without due process and held incommunicado—an action that has long been condemned by human rights organizations. The victim’s release, with no charges filed and no clear justification, has angered activists and citizens, who view this as yet another case of egregious abuse of power by the state.
“This is a recurring pattern,” said one human rights activist. “Abductions, secret detentions, and unexplained releases have become all too common in Uganda. These acts violate fundamental human rights and erode public trust in the justice system.”
The use of “safe houses,” unregistered detention facilities reportedly operated by security forces, has been a focal point in numerous allegations of torture and illegal imprisonment. Despite repeated calls from both local and international organizations for their closure and accountability for those involved, little action has been taken to address these violations.
This case underscores the urgent need for reform within Uganda’s security apparatus and greater accountability for human rights abuses. Observers hope that drawing attention to these injustices will spur concrete action to bring those responsible to justice and ensure the protection of basic human rights.
As frustration mounts, calls for both domestic and international pressure to hold the government accountable for such crimes grow louder. “One day, there must be accountability for all these crimes against our people,” stated one social media user, reflecting the sentiments of many Ugandans.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi has accused Ugandan security forces of using excessive force to disrupt a planned NUP gathering. The allegations were detailed in a statement shared on Twitter, following an event held to honor children of NUP supporters who were killed, disappeared, or detained for their political beliefs.
According to Kyagulanyi, security personnel, under the command of an officer identified as Asiimwe, carried out a preemptive operation early in the morning upon learning of the NUP’s plans. The forces allegedly stormed the premises, arrested workers, and deployed tear gas to disperse those present.
“The criminals under the command of one Asiimwe deployed early morning, arrested our workers, and threw tear gas into our premises. They’ve cordoned off the premises and blocked all people from accessing the place,” Kyagulanyi wrote.
Among those reportedly arrested were Saava Peter, Mudenya Samson, and Turyasingura Samson. Kyagulanyi claimed the detained workers were subjected to beatings and interrogated about their political affiliations, with security operatives labeling them as terrorists.
“These JATT operatives asked the workers who they support politically, branding them terrorists and criminals—their only crime being that they work with us. You can imagine the indignity!” Kyagulanyi lamented.
This incident adds to the growing tension in Uganda’s political climate, where opposition parties frequently accuse the government of stifling dissent. Despite the challenges, Kyagulanyi ended his statement with a message of defiance and optimism, proclaiming, “UGANDA WILL BE FREE.”
NUP Gathering Disrupted: Kyagulanyi Alleges Security Force Harassment and Arrests
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Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum
Sudan has demanded an official apology from Uganda over “offensive and dangerous” comments made by the chief of Uganda army staff, who threated to invade Khartoum, the Sudan Tribune has reported.
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and CDF of the Ugandan army, posted two comments on the X platform on Tuesday in which he threatened “to capture Khartoum” with the support of the US President elect Donald Trump after he takes office. The posts were deleted later.
“The government of Sudan demands and official apology from the Ugandan government for the offensive and dangerous comments of the army commander,” Sudan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that the Sudan Tribune said it has seen.
Sudan Demands Apology from Uganda Over Army Chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Threat to Invade Khartoum