Security is one of President Yoweri Museveni’s standout issues and anyone who tries to drive his attention it gets a full dossier of medication.

There have been continued reports of disapproval from citizens on security accusing them of torture, beatings and killings. A lion’s share of these reports have occurred within the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown where at the same time the country carried out general elections.

President Yoweri Museveni addressed the nation on Saturday night with his main focus on security, the emwooga funds and vaccines. The President sounded tough in his message to the security forces who he says have been the source of the beatings and killings of innocent citizens.

Human rights

President Museveni: I want to talk about the issue of human rights. That is one reason the NRM went to the bush. We put a lot of discipline in the army.

President Museveni: The main reason people should be in leadership is to serve people not themselves. When you respect the rights of people, you don’t bark at them. Don’t beat people, don’t beat criminals. You are not allowed to beat anyone.

President Museveni: There should be no killing of any Ugandan. It’s only in war or by court order to hang.

Jail without trial

President Museveni: Keeping people in jail for a long period without trial is not allowed. Deporting foreigners without trial should be stopped. Even foreigners should be handled legally.

Killings

President Museveni: Like last time, we had riots in November. Some of the people killed were rioters and some by stray bullets. There was a report made by the Police, and it will be made public after scrutiny.

President Museveni: Our human rights are incomparable to none in the world. NRM doesn’t believe in revenge, killing of prisoners and assassination. We don’t believe in the assassination.

President Museveni: By killing opponents, you create permanent enmity with their supporters. How do you reconcile with them? Secondly, you make them heroes.

President Museveni: All people who oppose us, we fight them politically. Even Idi Amin, we didn’t want to kill him, even Obote. Assassinations are a bankrupt method.

President Museveni: We rely on the court to punish the wrongdoers. Even in the bush, we had a court-martial and a civilian court.

Beatings

President Museveni: Why beat a person? Because you are too lazy to interrogate them. They are criminals but torture is a mistake although they committed the crimes.

President Museveni: Therefore, these people who continue to do what they are doing is not acceptable, I will launch the education method first, but also use the law to uproot these people.

President Museveni: If we stick to our principles, there is nobody who will oppose us. That’s why the people from the opposition cross to our side.

President Museveni: I issued directives to the security forces. I will make a booklet available to the public.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMpZiTu_wrw