Museveni’s Public Apology Rings Hollow Amid Continued Political Detentions
Yet, just days later, opposition leaders and human rights advocates are challenging the sincerity of the gesture, citing ongoing state-sanctioned repression and the detention of peaceful protestors as evidence of a regime unwilling to reform.
Uganda Today: Museveni’s Public Apology Rings Hollow Amid Continued Political Detentions
By Uganda Today Reporter
www.ugandatoday.co.ug | May 28, 2025
A Presidential Apology Amid Mounting Criticism
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s recent public apology to the people of Buganda for historical injustices was intended to mark a moment of national reconciliation. Delivered during his daughter’s church televised address, the apology acknowledged atrocities committed by his security agencies, particularly those affecting the Buganda Kingdom.
Yet, just days later, opposition leaders and human rights advocates are challenging the sincerity of the gesture, citing ongoing state-sanctioned repression and the detention of peaceful protestors as evidence of a regime unwilling to reform.
Kyagulanyi Speaks Out: “This Is Cowardly Persecution”
National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, issued a scathing response to the president’s apology, calling it “disingenuous” in the face of fresh human rights violations.
“Two weeks since being arrested for holding a peaceful protest against the abduction and torture of comrade Eddie Mutwe, our comrades Grace Kakooza Nakyanzi, Kugonza Bridget, Bashabe Vian, and Ben Serugo are still in detention in Kiboga,” Kyagulanyi stated.
“We demand their immediate release from illegal detention and the end of this cowardly persecution of citizens who dare to speak out!”
The protest—held earlier this month in Kiboga—was intended to draw attention to the mysterious disappearance and alleged torture of Eddie Mutwe, Kyagulanyi’s close aide. Despite being nonviolent and constitutionally protected, the demonstration was swiftly dispersed by security operatives, with several participants arrested on the spot.
No Charges, No Justice: Legal Limbo in Kiboga
To date, the four NUP members remain in detention at an undisclosed location in Kiboga District. Legal representatives and family members report limited access, raising alarm over potential mistreatment and the complete absence of due process.
None of the detainees has been formally charged, a practice critics say is increasingly common in Uganda’s politicized justice system.
Activists and Lawyers Respond: “Sorry Is Not Enough”
Prominent human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza has joined calls demanding the unconditional release of all political detainees. He criticized the president’s apology as performative and devoid of tangible action.
“It is not enough to say sorry while actively tormenting citizens who stand up for justice and truth,” Kiiza said. “Real contrition must be accompanied by institutional reform and the immediate release of all political prisoners.”
Meanwhile, the hashtags #FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners and #BringBackOurPeople are trending across Ugandan social media, as activists and diaspora communities amplify their calls for accountability and justice.
Reconciliation or Rebranding? Ugandans Remain Skeptical
For many, particularly in Buganda, President Museveni’s apology has stirred painful memories of state violence, land evictions, and cultural marginalization. But the arrest and detention of opposition figures—occurring in the very days following the apology—has reignited skepticism and public distrust.
As the government seeks to recast its image ahead of the 2026 elections, critics warn that reconciliation must begin with the present—not the past.
Uganda Today will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as events unfold.
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