National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has sharply criticised the presence of heavily armed security operatives in court, describing the incident as a reflection of deepening human rights concerns in Uganda.
His remarks followed the arraignment of NUP Deputy President for Buganda, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, who appeared in court on Wednesday after days in detention. Kivumbi was charged with offences related to unlawful assembly and incitement to violence before being remanded.
Bobi Wine claimed that one of the operatives who escorted Kivumbi to court was hooded and armed with items he alleged are commonly used in torture.
He listed weapons including a gun, pliers, hammer, axe and knife, arguing that such tools have been used in past abuses against civilians.
“Talk to past victims and they will tell you how these items have been used to make citizens wail under torture, if they live to tell the story,” he said.
The opposition leader further criticised what he termed as a breach of court sanctity, claiming the operatives entered the courtroom while fully armed.
He questioned why the judicial officer did not condemn the alleged conduct, instead opting to remand Kivumbi for a longer period.
“That the judicial officer could not condemn them and instead punished Hon. Kivumbi with a long remand period is telling,” Bobi Wine stated.
The developments have sparked renewed debate among opposition supporters and civil society groups, who have repeatedly accused security agencies of using excessive force and intimidation against political actors.
Authorities in Uganda have in the past denied allegations of torture, maintaining that all security operations are conducted within the law.
Kivumbi’s arrest and subsequent court appearance come amid heightened political tensions, with opposition leaders alleging targeted crackdowns ahead of anticipated political activities.
Bobi Wine concluded his statement with a defiant message, insisting that the struggle for political freedom in Uganda would continue despite what he described as intimidation by state agents.