Written By |
National Unity Platform (NUP) party President, Robert Kyagulanyi
Search
In 2018, the party president of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Robert Kyagulanyi filed a complaint with UHRC, accusing Government of blocking his musical concerts. By blocking his musical concerts, Kyagulanyi argued, government had cut off his financial muscle.
At the time the then Kampala Metropolitan police commander, Frank Mwesigwa, who is currently in charge of police operations, said Kyagulanyi was inciting violence through his music concerts.
“We have noticed that Bobi Wine has been turning into Honorable Kyagulanyi to make political statement at music shows. That is not what we agreed upon,” Mwesigwa said at the time.
On his first appearance before the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) tribunal on Monday Kyagulanyi, was in a combative mood.
Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine accused UHRC officials, who had assembled to hear a petition he filed in 2018, of bias, noting that his appearance before the tribunal was a waste of time.
“It is more than five years, madam chair, and as all of us know, justice delayed is justice denied. Madam Chairperson and members, this commission, which is empowered by the Constitution to protect constitutional rights, is instead the one violating those rights,” he said.
However, the chairperson of UHRC, Mariam Wangadya, cut him short.
“If that is the personal statement you are making, which is an attack on the commission, you are free to withdraw your complaint. I will not allow you to denigrate, emasculate, demean or disrespect this commission. If that is the personal statement you are making, you are not going any further,” Wangadya told Kyagulanyi.
The exchange of words continued for some time during the Monday tribunal meeting at UHRC’s headquarters in Kampala, until Wangadya directed Kyagulanyi to leave.
Wangadya, however said the leader of NUP, instead, attacked the commission.
“What kind of commission are you presiding over?” Kyagulanyi, who was accompanied by lawyers, George Musisi and Benjamin Katana, asked Wangadya.
In her response, Wangadya said: “You are represented. You have to speak through your lawyers. If you want to withdraw, please withdraw but I will not allow you to accuse this commission of violating human rights.”
At the end of the interface, there was a deadlock. Kyagulanyi withdrew the complaint and stormed out of the session.
On December 7, 2018 Kyagulanyi filed a complaint before UHRC alleging that security agencies had blocked over 20 music concerts, confiscated music equipment and denied him and several people he employs the their right to earn a living.
Kyagulanyi also alleged that security agencies had blocked these music concerts because of his political affiliation.
“This was done simply because of my political affiliation,” Kyagulanyi said.
BESIGYE BEFORE THE COMMISSION
Former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president, Dr Kizza Besigye, also appeared before UHRC on Monday.
After interfacing with UHRC officials, Besigye told journalists that it is now eight years since he filed the complaint in February, 2016.
“This is not the only case that I reported to the UHRC. In 2001, I reported a case to UHRC against the late Brigadier Nobel Mayombo but it has never been heard and we do not have any hope that it will ever be heard,” Besigye said.
“The UHRC informed us late about the tribunal sitting, and this is why, I did not have any lawyer when I appeared before them,” added.
Wangadya told Torch Media that the reason he summoned security to escort Kyagulanyi out of the hearing session was because the NUP leader had caused “some fracas” at UHRC offices.
“Besigye’s case was heard but we did not hear that of Kyagulanyi. The NUP lawyers informed us that he (Kyagulanyi) had a statement he wanted to make but we were curious and heard him out, but this was no ordinary statement,” Wangadya said.
She added: “Kyagulanyi’s statement was no ordinary statement. It was showing contempt to our tribunal. His statement was insulting to the chairperson of the tribunal and the members.”
