Uganda: 36 Opposition Supporters Charged with Terrorism-related Offences

A court has charged 36 members of the opposition party in Uganda, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), with terrorism-related offences after they were deported from Kenya.

The group had travelled to Kisumu, Kenya, to attend a leadership and governance training course but were detained and deported by Kenyan authorities, according to a Reuters report.

The court charges, which the FDC members deny, include allegations of travelling to Kenya to receive or provide terrorist training. The group’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago, said the charges were “ridiculous.” The accused are currently being held in a prison in Uganda.

This development comes amid growing protests in Uganda and Kenya over corruption and high taxes. A prominent FDC leader and strong opponent of the president, Kiiza Besigye, said that the detained members were mistreated while in custody in Kenya, including confiscation of their belongings and physical abuse.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who has been ruling since 1986, has been accused by critics and human rights groups of using fabricated charges to suppress political opposition. The president has continuously denied these allegations.

Recently, Ugandan authorities detained over 100 young people for participating in protests against corruption.

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