The Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Joel Ssenyonyi, has called upon the residents of Lubigi in Nansana municipality, Wakiso district, to fight all forms of human rights violations, saying evictions of that nature don’t discriminate against political affiliations.
LOP cited the recent kidnapping of lawmaker Paul Akamba (Busiki County MP), who was ruthlessly kidnapped just after being given bail by court, saying that when such matters were raised, they were dismissed as merely opposition attempts to politicking issues.
Ssenyonyi made these remarks on June 17, 2024, while addressing the residents of Lubigi, where he protested the discriminatory nature NEMA had taken in wetland evictions. He wondered why factories, petrol stations, and police stations are allowed to build in wetlands while residents are being ruthlessly evicted from Lubigi without any discussions or notices issued ahead of the evictions.
“I have passed by the same place, and there is still a police station and fuel stations. So, if the evictions are going on, why should they discriminate? There are known wetlands in Uganda that are full of factories; these ones aren’t being bothered. Perhaps it is because the owners of these businesses have connections to the government or are employed by the government; that is why we are asking ourselves; Why discriminate among citizens in Uganda?” Ssenyonyi Said.
Ssenyonyi further said that the issues of evictions don’t discriminate against political affiliations, adding that the issues of violating the rights of Ugandans don’t bother about political parties because when such a day comes, all face the wrath.
“We have been raising concerns about human rights violations, and for long, our concerns have been ignored because they are raised by members of the National Unity Platform (NUP),” he said.
LOP revealed that he held a discussion with Barirega Akankwasa, the Executive Director of NEMA, and asked him to hold discussions with residents and reach a common ground before such evictions are carried out, other than taking eviction decisions in their cool offices without first assessing the situation on the ground.
“I even asked him if they had held discussions with you people, and I cautioned him that, as NEMA, it isn’t good for the officials to sit in their offices and work on remote control. These are Ugandans, and you have been collecting taxes from them; why not go on the ground and hold talks with them? You listen to them,” Ssenyonyi added.
Ssenyonyi further stated that he had told Akankwasa that there is a lot of destruction that has taken place and that there are more places that have been marked for eviction.
LOP added that he asked him to hold a meeting with the local leaders around Lubigi, as well as representatives from the people who have been evicted.
