The President also recalled the close cooperation between Uganda and Tanzania, citing trade, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, the Murongo-Kyikagate mini-hydro project, roads in Tanzania, the Masaka-Bukoba transmission line and the Standard Gauge Railway, which has reached Isaka and is expected to extend towards Uganda and beyond.
According to Mukula, Uganda believes in the free and orderly movement of people, goods, services, and capital within the framework of regional laws and protocols, stating that it will continue to stand for the dignity of African brothers and sisters because Africa belongs to Africans.
Muntu described the country's human rights situation as increasingly worrying, pointing to the continued detention of Dr. Kizza Besigye beyond the constitutional 180-day limit for automatic bail, the banning of lawyer Martha Karua, and the recent abduction of Muwanga Kivumbi following his release on bail.
Michael Phillip Lulume Bayigga, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party Deputy President for Buganda region revealed that the declaration of Karua as Persona Non Grata doesn’t represent Uganda as a leading actor in the East African Community, which guarantees the East Africans the freedom of movement.
The ULS demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Advocate Lukwago within 24 hours, full disclosure of his whereabouts and condition, and a public commitment that lawyers will not be targeted for carrying out their professional duties.
“We have been complaining about how bad those fronted by other parties are. Today, we have decided to front our own, the holy one, to represent the opposition in the forthcoming speakership race. I implore all opposition members of Parliament to rally behind our candidate,” Ssenyonyi said.