Located in East Africa, the Republic of Uganda has borders with Southern Sudan as well as with Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Uganda also borders Lake Victoria (which is fondly referred to by locals as Nam Lolwe).

Presidential elections are scheduled to take place in early 2021. President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled for the last 34 years, hopes for a sixth term in office. In 2005, the provision limiting the head of state’s term of office to two terms was initially lifted and instead an age limit of 75 years for presidential candidates was introduced. In 2017, the parliament passed a controversial constitutional amendment by a two-thirds majority that abolishes even the age limit. These amendment paths the way for President Museveni’s candidacy in the upcoming elections in February 2021.

Human rights violations are rising in Uganda. Reports indicate:

1) Violent disintegrations of protest demonstrations, 

2) excessive violence by the security forces against the opposition parties, the media and the citizens. 

Violations of freedom of speech, the press and assembly are at the core of the said agenda by the incumbent ruling party. 

In our fourth episode, we have two guests from Uganda visiting us. Nicholas Opiyo, a leading human rights lawyer and founder of Chapter Four Uganda, an organisation that provides research, advocacy, and outreach services to contribute to laws, policies, and practices in the interest of civil liberties and human rights. Since 2005, Opiyo has worked tirelessly to promote civil liberties in Uganda, often on pro bono. He is the recipient of the 2017 German Africa Prize, the 2015 Voices for Justice Award from Human Rights Watch and the European Union Parliament Sakharov Fellows Prize recipient for 2016. He will explain to us his view of Uganda’s legal system. 

We also have the pleasure and honour of engaging Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu! We are very pleased that Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has taken the time to join our podcast. He is better known under his stage name H. E. Bobi Wine. 

Bobi Wine is a Ugandan politician, Presidential candidate, activist, singer, actor, businessperson and philanthropist. As of 11 July 2017, he serves as Member of Parliament representing Kyadondo East constituency in Wakiso District, in Uganda’s Central Region. We invite Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu to share his views and reflect on his experiences of leading the opposition in Uganda, advocating for the protection of the rule of law and democracy.

Audio sources [SABC News]:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKs0L0Ygvi0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4k9_hNZ5n8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EYzr7lK3M4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiHYcA-rFtI