Museveni warning perpetrators of criminal actions is commendable – Crispin Kaheru

By Our Reporter

Crispin Kaheru, an elections expert has said President Yoweri Museveni’s message on human rights during his national briefing Saturday evening was timely.  

Museveni last night while addressing the nation on security spoke tough against torture of suspects in the view of getting information. The President also spoke passionately about detention of suspects without trial.

Commenting on Museveni’s speech, Kaheru says Uganda has gone through a period where civil and political rights have been put to a test, especially during the 2021 general elections.

“There have been incidents of torture, abductions; and murders over the past period. Many times these have instilled unnecessary fear within the public (in some cases lives have been lost),” he says.

It is good, he says, “that the President has come out to account and send a strong warning to the perpetrators of these criminal actions.”

“It is commendable that he realizes how a checkered human rights record could affect the legitimacy and image of the Government,” Kaheru adds.

He, however, says that this now boils down to individual responsibility.

“It is my hope that after the President’s statement, the redress of all victims of torture (or their dependents) is fast tracked and those criminal acts stop. Justice delayed is justice denied,” he notes.

Kaheru says the President’s speech against torture and detention without trial among others should also open up a fresh chapter for Ugandans to dialogue, heal and forge a way forward, together.