The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) party has condemned continued human rights violations in Uganda and called for the release of detained opposition figures, while warning that conflicting statements from the presidency and the military are creating confusion over the country’s political future.
Addressing journalists at a press conference on Monday, September 7th, 2026, at the party headquarters in Makamba Zone, Lungujja, the National Coordinator, Kassiano Ezati Wadri said journalist Charles Rwomushana had been taken from a radio studio and was being held at an unknown location.
He pointed to the prolonged detention of Dr. Kizza Besigye, Erias Lukwago and others, some of whom are being held in ungazetted places, and said constitutional provisions on bail had been disregarded. Besigye, he noted, had now spent more than a year in detention.
“My appeal is to the judiciary, to adhere to the oath that they took of dispensing justice without fear or favour,” Wadri said.
He added that ANT was not calling for acquittal, but for full enjoyment of legal rights, including bail.
Wadri also questioned the launch of a presidential bid by a serving military officer, saying the law requires resignation and a discharge certificate before such a candidature can be validated. He contrasted the development with remarks by the Minister for the Presidency that President Museveni would remain on the ballot from 2031 to 2036.
“Whom would we follow as citizens of this country? Do we follow the CDF or do we follow the version of the minister?” he asked.
Retired Major General Mugisha Muntu said the government should at least act humanely by releasing Besigye and Lukwago on health grounds so they could receive treatment at home while their trials continued on bail.
Muntu argued that NRM’s strategy of developing infrastructure without building strong citizens and institutions was unsustainable. He urged the ruling party to de-escalate rather than further deepen the country’s current political path.
ANT also extended condolences to the Kingdom of Tooro over the death of Ikingura Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV and said it would send a delegation to the burial on September 12th.
