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Arrest Of Human Rights Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo Troubling – USA

The United States has described as troubling the abduction of Human Rights Lawyer, Nicholas Opiyo and called on Government to ensure he is safe while in custody.

United States of America’s position was echoed by its Ambassador to Uganda, Natalie Brown on her official Twitter handle, after news broke out that plain clothed security operatives had kidnapped Opiyo in Kamwokya and whisked him off unknown location.

Brown wrote, “I just met Opiyo & was impressed by his commitment to rule of law & to uplifting his fellow citizens. News of his arrest is troubling & I call on the Ugandan Government to ensure his safety & wellbeing. Civil society must be able to carry out its essential role in Uganda.”

US’s statement came at the time Opiyo had held talks with Brown on the imperative of transparency, accountability, & ending the culture of impunity so all Ugandans can thrive.

The Ambassador thanked Opiyo, leadership of Uganda Law Society and other human rights activists  for shining a light on these issues & working for a more just future to ensure all Ugandans enjoy their human rights.

Her meeting with Human Rights Activist proceeded another meeting Ambassador Brown had held a week ago with Judith Nabakoob, Minister for ICT in which the US diplomat advocated for Ministry of ICT asking for assurances on journalist protection and uninterrupted access to the internet during the election period. 

Ugandans Demand For Opiyo’s Release


A number of Ugandans have called for the release of Opiyo includingnUganda Law Society, that issued a statement through its President, Pheona Wall who described Opiyo’s abduction from Kamwokya and hid incommunicado as high-handed and unnecessary. 

Wall wrote, “He could have been summoned through his usual address or ULS. The security agencies that arrested him should therefore respect his basic civil liberties including access to a lawyer, medical personnel and family. They should respect the privacy and property rights of his phones and car which is yet to be accounted for.”

Former Leader of Opposition and Kasese Woman MP, Winnie Kiiza described Opiyo’s kidnap as scandalous remarking, “The state must immediately  and unconditionally release him, & end its scandalous crackdown on lawyers, activists and others who try to peacefully advocate for human rights in our country.”

National Unity Platform Presidential flagbearers, Robert Kyagulanyi revealed that Bobi Opiyo had been abducted by security from restaurant in Kamwokya, alongside other lawyers investigating murders of 18th & 19th, November 2020 in which over 50 people were shot dead by Police and army during protests of arrest of Kyagulanyi in Luuka district.

He said Opiyo alongside three other lawyers: Dakasi Herbert, Odur Anthony & Esomu Obure and NUP’s Human Rights Officer, Tenywa Hamid were thrown into private van with tinted glasses and driven at breakneck speed to unknown destination. 

“Regime in panic! They had barely had lunch when armed men in plain clothes arrested & swiftly forced them into a private van. We’ve been told they were driven to Kireka while blind folded! We demand for their immediate release l. Defending human rights is not a crime! We know this arrest is intended to frustrate the ongoing investigations into violations,” said Kyagulanyi.

Four time Presidential Candidate, Kizza Besigye also weighed into Opiyo’s arrest noting, “This is, likely, a part of the terror associated with Museveni rigging the 2021 election to keep power after 35 yrs of misrule- SHAME! The arrest of Nicholas isn’t surprising. His home was broken into in September and communications devices “stollen”.”

Besigye added, “NGOs in the Human Rights and Governance area have been targeted for office break-ins and their bank accounts frozen. This escalates during election periods.” In September 2020, Opiyo revealed that goons had broken into his home and made away with his phone, laptop and other electronic items.

Police issued a statement confessing to have kidnapped Opiyo, saying the exercise was carried out by a Joint Task team of Security and Financial Intelligence, on allegations of money laundering and related malicious acts.

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