Makerere Protest: European Union condemns security agencies brutality against students, journalists

The European Union (EU) has condemned Ugandan security agencies brutality against Makerere University student and journalists.

EU’s statement follows the two weeks strike by students over the 15 per cent tuition fees sanctioned in July 2018.

During the strike, a good number of students were brutalized by the Military Police together with Uganda Police.  In one incident, the security agencies broke into the students halls of residence, tortured them and destroyed their property worth millions of shillings.

In the statement issued on Friday November 1, 2019 , EU supported Uganda Human Rights Commission’s move where they said that Makerere University has been the theatre of violence in the recent days due to use of excessive forces by members of the law enforcement agencies.

“We support the analysis of the event made by Uganda Human Rights Commissions and call upon all parties, particularly the Uganda Police Force and Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces to refrain from acts of violence and to respect freedom of assembly and expression. Any possible misconduct by their members should be investigated and acted upon.

We are also alarmed by the use of force against and unwarranted arrest of journalists attempting to cover recent events at Makerere. We call upon both Makerere University and the security services to ensure that all accredited journalists are allowed to do their job without intimidation and harassment so that can report events independently,” reads the statement.

Early this week, the US government also condemned the military brutality against students saying that they are increasingly concerned about the violence at Makerere University in response to ongoing protests against the proposed tuition increases.

“Footage of security services attacking unarmed students in their residence halls and attacks on journalists covering the protests are especially disturbing. This heavy-handed response by security services is uncalled for and is a direct affront to the freedoms of assembly, speech and expression guaranteed by Uganda’s constitution. We urge the Government of Uganda to allow Ugandans to exercise their basic rights peacefully without fear.”