Geneva summit: Bobi Wine calls for sanctions on Museveni, Muhoozi

Ugandan opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine

GENEVA — Opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, called on the international community Wednesday to impose targeted sanctions on President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, citing systemic human rights abuses.

Addressing the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy, Kyagulanyi accused the Ugandan government of presiding over enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings following the disputed Jan. 15 general election. He also sought sanctions against senior police and judicial officers whom he claimed have obstructed justice.

“We think the international community has abandoned us and left us on our own,” Kyagulanyi told delegates. “We are only asking for targeted sanctions against Gen. Museveni, his son Gen. Muhoozi and other top police and judicial officers who have blocked the justice system.”

The National Unity Platform leader also urged development partners to reconsider financial aid to Uganda.

State House dismissed the remarks as unpatriotic. Presidential Press Secretary Sandor Walusimbi described the calls for sanctions as irresponsible and counterproductive.

“Uganda has just concluded a peaceful electoral process,” Walusimbi said. “The country is calm, stable and fully functional. Ugandans are going about their business freely.”

Kyagulanyi rejected the official election results, which saw Museveni win a seventh term with more than 70% of the vote. International observers and rights groups reported that the election was marred by an internet blackout, arrests of opposition figures and violence.

Kyagulanyi told the summit he has been in hiding since the election ended, alleging that Kainerugaba, who serves as the chief of defense forces, issued an order to capture him “dead or alive.” He further claimed that security forces raided his home in Magere and tortured family members.

Several high-ranking NUP officials are currently facing criminal charges. Lina Zedriga, deputy president for the northern region, and Jolly Jackline Tukamushaba, deputy president for the western region, were charged with incitement to violence this month after weeks in incommunicado detention.

Muwanga Kivumbi, the NUP deputy president for the Buganda region, is facing terrorism charges related to a January incident in Butambala District where 10 people were killed. NUP leaders have dismissed the charges as politically motivated.