KAMPALA, Uganda— National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, called on the European Union (EU) to publicly address human rights abuses and political repression in Uganda ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Kyagulanyi made the appeal during a meeting Monday at NUP headquarters in Makerere Kavule, Kampala, with an EU delegation led by Ambassador Jan Sadek.
“We raised the issue of human rights. We took the opportunity to also raise our concerns about the seeming hobnobbing of the diplomats with a clearly brutal person, that is, General Museveni’s son, and we expressed our concern that the people of Uganda tend to view it as a support for their oppression,” Kyagulanyi told reporters after the meeting.
The meeting was part of the EU’s ongoing dialogues with Ugandan political parties before the 2026 elections, which have raised concerns about potential violence, as seen in the 2021 polls.
Kyagulanyi highlighted alleged systematic targeting and torture of opposition supporters, including his bodyguard, Edward Ssebuufu, known as Eddy Mutwe. Mutwe, arrested last month, is facing robbery charges and NUP alleges he was tortured in custody.
“I took the opportunity to also raise the plight of our brother, Eddie Mutwe, who is rotting away in jail, and I mentioned that it would go a long way to helping him out if the voice of the development partners is raised to save his life and ensure that he gets urgent, specialized treatment,” Kyagulanyi said.
Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, NUP Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya, and Opposition Chief Whip John Baptist Nambeshe also attended the meeting.
Ambassador Sadek reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to engaging all political players in Uganda for a peaceful and credible electoral process.
“We have met with NRM; now we are meeting with NUP, and we will proceed also with the other political parties. And why are we doing this? Well, because this is an important year. Uganda is heading for elections next year in 2026. It’s an incredibly important process for the democracy in the country,” Sadek said.
He noted that recent by-elections, including the Kawempe North poll, have been marred by violence, raising concerns about a level playing field.
“This does not seem to point to a level playing field, which is so important in a democracy that is having elections. We appeal to all political forces in the country to respect the ideas of democracy and pursue these elections in a calm way to achieve fair and credible election results,” Sadek said.
