In a heart-wrenching declaration, David Lewis Rubongoya, the Secretary General of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has vowed that the party will not yield to the relentless pressure from the government or the public to negotiate with President Museveni for the release of its detained supporters. These individuals have been trapped in the shadows of Uganda’s justice system since the controversial 2021 elections, enduring unspeakable hardships as they face a myriad of charges.
The sorrow deepens with the recent news that 19 youths, branded as terrorists for allegedly possessing explosive devices, have pleaded guilty. Rubongoya believes these young lives, once full of promise, have been cruelly ensnared by a government that seeks to silence dissent. “They are not criminals; they are victims of a broken system,” he said, his voice filled with anguish. He noted that their confessions are not admissions of guilt but rather cries for mercy after years of torment and inhumane treatment in Uganda’s harsh detention centers.
In an emotional interview with NTV, Rubongoya’s pain was palpable as he confronted the grim reality facing his party supporters. “We have nothing to negotiate. What can we offer in exchange for their freedom?” he asked, his heart heavy with the burden of injustice. Each day they spend in detention, he lamented, is a day stolen from their youth and a reminder of the suffering inflicted by a regime that thrives on fear and oppression.
With tears in his eyes, Rubongoya pledged unwavering support for his party members, who have become symbols of resilience amid despair. “These are not just numbers; they are fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters,” he stressed, painting a poignant picture of families torn apart by political strife. He called on the public to join in a united front against this cruelty, reminding everyone that “even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise again.”
As the struggle continues, Rubongoya’s words serve as a painful reminder that hope endures in the face of adversity. He urged the community to stand firm in the fight for justice and human rights, echoing the age-old wisdom that “when the heart weeps, the soul finds strength.” In these trying times, the call for compassion and unity resonates louder than ever.
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