President Yoweri Museveni has responded to long-standing accusations surrounding human rights abuses, saying that torture, maiming and extra-judicial killings have never been part of his approach to dealing with political opponents.
Museveni made the remarks while responding to journalist Andrew Mwenda on concerns surrounding Stephen Nuwagaba, a young man who the President said approached him after allegedly suffering torture, injuries and threats from some elements within the security services.
The President said acts of torture and physical abuse were against the principles of the liberation struggles he led, arguing that such actions were morally wrong and could not help a country progress.
“Coming back to torture, let alone maiming, these are immoral, counter-revolutionary, not strategic and not necessary for we the freedom fighters,” Museveni said.
Museveni said it was especially disturbing when alleged abuses were linked to security institutions that were created to protect citizens and maintain law and order.
“The terrible thing is that these alleged torturers and maimers were belonging to our security forces. Is this what we and the people of Uganda fought for?” he questioned.
He reminded Ugandans of the sacrifices made during previous struggles to end violence, oppression and authoritarian rule in the country.
“Do you know how much we, and all the people of Uganda, sacrificed to get freedom from killers, torturers and dictators?” Museveni said.
The President later directly addressed allegations that he had ever ordered the torture of political opponents, insisting that he had never participated in such actions throughout his political career.
“In the last 56 years I have been fighting, I have never tortured, or ordered anybody to torture, an opponent, because of the reasons mentioned above,” Museveni stated.
He said the National Resistance Movement (NRM), National Resistance Army (NRA) and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had achieved victories without relying on torture as a method of handling opponents.
“However, the FRONASA, the NRA, the UPDF always win,” he said.
Museveni, however, acknowledged that some individuals within security agencies had abandoned the principles of the organisations they served and engaged in actions that were unacceptable.
He said some corrupt and non-patriotic elements had infiltrated institutions and committed crimes while using their positions of authority.
“Nevertheless, the UPDF and the other security forces, in fighting impunity, they should not commit their own crimes, such as torture, extra-judicial killings, etc,” Museveni said.
Regarding Stephen Nuwagaba, Museveni said the young man came to him after allegedly becoming a victim of torture and threats from some security personnel.
“Nuwagaba is a young man in his mid-twenties who came to me as a fugitive, a victim of torture and maiming, whom some elements in the Security Services were trying to silence, including threatening with death,” he said.
Museveni explained that Nuwagaba had required medical attention because of injuries and trauma allegedly linked to the abuse he suffered.
“He has actually been a patient on account of torture and maiming, and trauma because of the torture, for many of the months he has been under my care,” he said.
The President added that he had facilitated medical treatment for Nuwagaba both within Uganda and abroad, saying his condition had improved although some injuries remained.
He also revealed that some security personnel accused of involvement in the alleged torture were facing legal action.
Museveni further argued that torture and violence against opponents were not effective strategies because they create divisions and remove opportunities for reconciliation.
“Worse still, torture, maiming or assassinations of opponents are not strategic,” he said.
He explained that eliminating opponents permanently denies a country the chance to benefit from their future contributions, saying every individual can potentially play a role in national development.
The President also discussed disciplinary methods used during the bush war, distinguishing them from torture and saying the aim was to enforce discipline rather than cause permanent harm.
He concluded by warning that the bigger challenge facing Uganda was not individuals raising concerns but corruption and compromised officials within institutions who prevent information from reaching leaders and allow wrongdoing to continue.
Museveni’s remarks come amid renewed debate about alleged abductions, torture claims and the treatment of opposition figures, with different political actors continuing to call for accountability and respect for human rights.
