By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
As thousands of pilgrims gather in Namugongo for the annual commemoration of Uganda Martyrs, voices from civil society and political observers are urging the faithful and church leaders to go beyond honoring the past and speak courageously against ongoing human rights violations in the country.
The June 3, Uganda martyrs day is celebrated in remembrance of 45 young men including 22 catholics and 23 anglican converts those who perished under Kabaka Mwanga II’s regime over 140 years ago.
Kira municipality MP and spokesperson of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda says the clerics and pilgrims should use this year’s pilgrimage as a platform to confront the legacy of political violence in Uganda.
“This is the same crowd that cannot be feasting with President Museveni and at the same time claim to be remembering the cruelty of our past leaders,” Ssemujju said. “They must condition any invitation to the President on the clear message that he must not mirror the violence of past rulers.”
Uganda is currently grappling with allegations of torture, unlawful detention of opposition politicians and their supporters, and extrajudicial killings under President Museveni’s government.
Rights watchdogs, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have previously documented a pattern of state-linked abuses in Uganda, sparking widespread concern both locally and internationally.
“If they don’t to speak out strongly against the crimes being committed today, they should prepare for the construction of future shrines, ones that will commemorate those killed and tortured under Museveni’s regime,” Ssemujju added, noting that such a gathering would have been impossible under Kabaka Mwanga.
Ssemujju made the remarks while addressing journalists at the PFF headquarters on Pilot 6, Katonga Road, Kampala.
During the conference, party national chairperson Ambassador Wasswa Birigwa welcomed President Museveni’s apology to Buganda, but urged him to be specific about what he is seeking forgiveness for. Birigwa added that the President’s apology should extend not just to Buganda, but to the entire country.
The PFF called on religious leaders and pilgrims to use their platform to denounce impunity and demand a future free from the very abuses they gather to remember.
