National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine has spoken out on reports that he supports or sympathizes with suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels and their leader Jamil Mukulu.
In his speech at the Duwa prayers for Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago’s late father Muhammad Mirundi in Kabungo, Kalungu District at the weekend, Bobi Wine was quoted as referring to Mukulu as “our brother” and “a political prisoner” who was arrested and detained because of disagreeing with the manner in which Uganda is being governed.
Mukulu has been detained in Luzira Prison over murder, treason and terrorism charges.
Now, Bobi Wine says “regime propagandists are desperately trying to twist my words to fit their usual narrative!”
In a response to this group of so-called regime propagandists, Bobi Wine doubted the evidence the state claims to have against Mukulu, wondering why there were questionable delays in trying the suspected rebel leader. He also castigated the Museveni administration of reportedly torturing Mukulu.
“Jamil Mukulu was arrested in April, 2015. 8 years later, he hasn’t been tried! Why is evidence not brought so that he’s convicted or acquitted? Jamil Mukulu and others were subjected to the worst forms of torture- e.g. water boarding. Torture is prohibited internationally. They say they were forced to eat pork and drink alcohol against their religion! In a functional judiciary, such actions would invalidate a trial,” said Bobi Wine.
“Some of the co-accused persons were granted bail by court and were immediately re-arrested on gun point! Under our laws, everyone is presumed innocent until proved guilty! Unfortunately, the regime has turned it the other way round- you are guilty until proved innocent!”
Kyagulanyi also accused the Museveni state of fabricating charges against opponents. He suggested that this could the same case with Mukulu. “The Museveni regime is known to push false narratives. Dr. Besigye was charged with rape. I was charged with possessing firearms. Our two MPs are facing fabricated murder charges. How do we conclude that some accusations are not trumped up, in the absence of a trial envisaged by law?” he asked.
He also relied on statements he attributed to internal affairs minister and former National Resistance Army (NRA) bush war fighter Maj Gen (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire as well as allegations made by Mukulu to suggest that the Museveni regime might have a hand in the activities of the ADF.
“Gen Museveni led a war 1980 – 85 that led to death of hundreds of thousands of Ugandans. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire recently confessed they would put on UPC uniforms and commit atrocities in order to paint the Obote regime evil. What would you call such people if not terrorists? After hearing Kahinda Otafiire’s confession and what they did in Buganda, Northern region, Mukura, Kasese, how can one dismiss the idea that the regime had a hand in the atrocities commonly attributed to ADF and Jamil Mukulu? How can the truth come out if there is no fair trial?” wondered Kyagulanyi.
“Jamil Mukulu at one point during a court appearance shouted that it was the regime financing them and was silenced. Can we dismiss these allegations without any evidence to the contrary, given the NRM record? Since then he has always been silenced whenever he tries to speak!”
He has now made it clear that he, his NUP party and People Power pressure group do not condone terrorist activities but warned that states should not use the war against terrorism as a ruse to violate human rights and suffocate the political space. He called for a quick and fair trial for Mukulu and his suspected ADF accomplices.
“We oppose terrorist actions in Uganda and anywhere in the world. The NUP government would spare no effort to cooperate with the world in fighting terrorism. But we believe terrorism must not be used as a pretext to violate human rights and purse illegitimate political objectives,” he stated.
“I hope this explains why we believe that Jamil Mukulu and his co-accused persons are being politically persecuted and they deserve ‘a fair, speedy and public hearing before an independent and impartial court established by law” as envisaged by Article 28 of the Constitution!”
Bobi Wine has previously cried out, saying that Museveni treats him like a terrorist. (Read Story Here).
Meanwhile, Bobi Wine has warned Ugandans that Museveni’s son Gen Muhoozi will be Uganda’s next president if they do not ‘stop this madness.’ (Read Story Here).
