The leadership of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction has set a one-week ultimatum before taking legal action against the Kenyan government through the East African Court of Justice and the United Nations over the illegal deportation of its members.
In pursuit of justice for their members, the party has demanded some substantial responses from both governments of Kenya and Uganda concerning the harsh treatment of the 36 party members.
According to Proscovia Salaamu Musumba, the National Vice chairperson of FDC Katonga, the grounds under which the 36 FDC members were deported to Uganda were unlawful.
While addressing the press members at Katonga Road offices in Kampala, Salaamu Musumba faulted the legality of the actions taken by both Ugandan and Kenyan authorities, emphasizing that the FDC members were in Kenya legally.
“We shall be presenting a protest note if no substantial feedback is received. This matter will be brought to the East African Court of Justice and the United Nations, as well as to the Kenyan parliament,” she said.
Whereas the leaders of the FDC Katonga faction, together with Makerere University students, marched to the Kenyan High Commission to present their petition, they were intercepted by the police because they hadn’t notified it.
By FDC petitioning the Kenyan High Commission in Uganda, it seeks explanations and demands the immediate release of their members by Ugandan authorities.
According to Erias Lukwago, the interim president of the FDC Katonga faction, during the march to the Kenyan High Commission, at least 13 party leaders were arrested and detained at the Central Police Station.
Those arrested include the Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor, Doreen Nyanjura, Ingrid Turinawe, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Harold Kaija, and Faridah Nangonzi, among others.
Lukwago condemned the use of force by the police, describing the protest as peaceful and unjustified of such measures. He revealed plans to return to Katonga to determine how to deliver the petition before seeking bail for the detained leaders.
The 36 party members were arrested in Kisumu, Kenya, and deported back to Uganda after they were accused of engaging in subversive activities.
