By KT Reporter
National Unity Platform-NUP presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi has called for the release of political prisoners whom he says to be either illegally remanded in government prisons across the country and in unknown detention facilities.
Kyagulanyi made these remarks while concluding his campaign rally at the Bugiri district headquarters on Friday.
His remarks resulted from calls by the NUP leaders in the districts of Mayuge, Bugiri and Namayingo, who informed him that their colleagues are exposed to endless threats and arrests.
Joseph Onyango, the NUP chairperson in Mayuge district says that, they have built a strong mobilization team for their party in the areas surrounding Lake Victoria, however, they often meet confrontation from security operatives.
Onyango says these confrontations slow down their mobilization processes as some of them get arrested over concocted charges.
He says that such arrests deter freedom of expression with individuals shying away from expressing support for their preferred political actors for fear of reprimand.
His thoughts did not differ from those of NUP Parliamentary aspirant for Bukooli North Jamal Ayagalaki, who raised the challenge of endless arrests, noting that, a big number of their supporters have fallen victim.
Ayagalaki says that, their mobilization efforts continue to take shape nonetheless and they are rallying grassroots support amidst the prevailing threats.
Ayagalaki is optimistic that NUP presents a practical manifesto prioritizing human rights, which he challenged members of the general public to embrace through voting Kyagulanyi during next year’s general elections.
Kyagulanyi in response said that freedom of expression is everyone’s right, and he pledges to respect it if elected to the country’s topmost leadership position.
Kyagulanyi says that a number of NUP supporters have faced unfair treatment over their political inclinations, a trend he hopes to change when entrusted with the country’s highest office. He added that NUP’s manifesto prioritizes freedom for all illegally detained prisoners, whom he wants to be unconditionally released to reunited with their families.
NUP flag bearer for Bugiri woman MP, Rebecca Namumbya pledges to ensure equitable healthcare services for all. Namumbya that health rights are a key necessity for any progressive population as it increases on their productivity through reduction of the time spent managing different illnesses in hospitals and she hopes Kyagulanyi has a health centered manifesto geared towards creating inclusive health spaces for all.
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