By THE OBSERVER UG
Alex Kayiwa, a member of the National Unity Platform has accused Ugandan security forces of sodomizing him whilst under detention.
Kayiwa, commonly known as ‘Musaayi Gwa Bobi’ was among the alleged casualties who shared ordeals at the special joint prayers held at the NUP headquarters in Kamwokya on Thursday in honor of persons facing gross human rights violations and those facing trial in military courts.
The prayers led by Kimaanya Kabonera MP Abed Bwanika, Sheikh Kato Khalid, and pastor Dorothy Nantongo, were also attended by former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Dr Kizza Besigye, Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) president Gen Gregory Mugisha Muntu, NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi and other seasoned politicians.
Kayiwa naratted that he was abducted on July 15, 2023, by the Special Forces Command (SFC) in Kireka and taken to an isolated location from where he endured extensive torture and interrogation regarding his allegiance to NUP party and its president Kyagulanyi Sentamu. He added that his captors sodomized him before he was released.
In his speech, Kyagulanyi observed that such incidents were not isolated, and that many of NUP supporters have privately shared similar experiences but were hesitant to speak publicly. He commended Kayiwa for being brave to share his story.
One by one, the alleged victims of torture and those whose people were allegedly killed by the military took the stage and narrated how they were abducted and tortured before being released. Also, several people whose people were abducted took the stage to give accounts about how their relatives were taken, pleading with the government to release them.
The NUP leadership has severally stated that security agents were kidnapping and torturing their supporters. Some of those who they claimed had been kidnapped eventually were taken to court and charged while others are reported to be missing.
In October, opposition MPs led by then leader of the opposition in parliament Mathias Mpuuga walked out of parliament and remained out of plenary for nearly two months demanding answers from the government on what they call violations of the rights of Ugandans.
Speaking at the NUP prayers, Mpuuga said that whereas they are asking for divine intervention, they should also stand up against such atrocities because many people have tested the Injustices, adding that MPS will not cease asking for their abducted people. Besigye and Muntu criticized religious leaders for not joining their cause, emphasizing that they too, were under capture and needed prayers.
Gen Muntu challenged all aspiring leaders to ensure that they avoid repeating the mistakes of the current regime if they get power.
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