Donors have turned up the pressure and tasked government over the mafia-style arrest of human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo.
Opiyo was picked from Lamaro restaurant in Kamwokya by
plained-clothed security operatives while having lunch with colleagues.
For several hours, his whereabouts remained unknown until later in the
evening when police confirmed that his arrest had been conducted by the
Special Investigations Division on allegations of "money laundering and
related malicious acts."
The US ambassador to Uganda, Natalie E. Brown describes the arrest as
troubling "I just met Opiyo and was impressed by his commitment to rule
of law & to uplifting his fellow citizens. News of his arrest is
troubling and I call on the Ugandan Government to ensure his safety and
wellbeing. Civil society must be able to carry out its essential role in
Uganda," Natalie wrote.
She appreciated human rights activists and the leadership
of the Uganda Law Society for shining light on human rights issues and
working for a more just future to ensure all Ugandans enjoy their human
rights. Several human rights organisations and officials have condemned
the arrest and called for Opiyo to be brought to court immediately or be
released.
The arrest of Opiyo comes a few days following his meeting with the
ambassador together with the leaders of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) and
other human rights activists on transparency, accountability and ending
the culture of impunity so that all Ugandans can thrive.
Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, the National Unity Platform presidential
candidate, says Opiyo was arrested alongside other lawyers investigating
the November 18th and 19th 2020 killings, in which over 50 people were
shot dead during protests triggered by his arrest in Luuka district.
Kyagulanyi
says Opiyo was picked together with other lawyers namely Herbert
Dakasi, Anthony Odur and Esomu Obure and NUP's human rights officer,
Hamid Tenywa.
"We demand for their immediate release. Defending human rights is not
a crime! We know this arrest is intended to frustrate the ongoing
investigations into rights violations," said Kyagulanyi.
Dr.
Kizza Besigye, the former Forum for Democratic Change president also
weighed in, saying that the arrest of Opiyo is not surprising since his
home was broken into in September and communication devices picked."
NGOs in the human rights and governance area have been targeted for
office break-ins and their bank accounts were frozen. This escalates
during election periods," Besigye said.
