The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres, has expressed concern on the recent disappearances and detentions of politicians and civil society actors across the country.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Wednesday, the Secretary-General urged all stakeholders in Uganda to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.
“The Secretary-General is closely following recent developments in Uganda and notes with concern reports regarding the detention of political and civic actors, including cases in which the whereabouts of some individuals have not been clearly established” the statement reads.
Guterres further reminded government that the freedom of expression and independence of media are protected by the country’s constitution.
“He recalls that freedom of expression, including the independence of the media, as well as the rights to liberty and security of person, are enshrined in Uganda’s Constitution and its international human rights obligations” he said.
Guterres further encouraged all stakeholders to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.
Guterres’s message comes amidst international scrutiny over, the recent detention of opposition figures, Civil Society activists and the recent shutdown of Nation Media Group media houses in Uganda, including NTV Uganda and the Daily Monitor.
