Irene Nankya, the widow of Christopher Kayizi, who was shot during the riots in Kampala, recalled the day her husband was killed, leaving her a pregnant widow.
National Unity Platform (NUP) President, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, has expressed difficulty in facing the families of those who lost their lives during the November 2020 riots. Kyagulanyi pointed out that the regime has attempted to shift the blame for the deaths onto him, leading some to mistakenly view him as responsible for the loss of their loved ones.
However, he urged the children and families of the deceased not to hold him accountable but to direct their anger at the government, which he said facilitated the killings.
//Cue in: "Kaweefube mungi …
Cue out:… yeyatta kitamwe,"//
Kyagulanyi made these remarks while addressing hundreds of people gathered at the NUP headquarters for prayers in remembrance of the 54 civilians killed by security forces during a violent crackdown on protesters. The protests erupted after Kyagulanyi’s arrest during a presidential campaign rally in Luuka District.
On November 18, 2020, Kyagulanyi, who was the NUP presidential candidate at the time, was arrested for allegedly violating COVID-19 restrictions set by the Electoral Commission, which prohibited rallies of more than 200 supporters.
His arrest and subsequent detention at Nalufenya Police Station in Jinja City led to two days of protests across Kampala, culminating in the deaths of 54 people. In the wake of the incident, President Museveni pledged to compensate the bereaved families and ordered an inquiry into the killings, with a promise to hold the responsible officers accountable.
At Makerere Kavule, family members shared their experiences of how their relatives were killed, while survivors recounted how they narrowly escaped death, now living with lifelong injuries.
Ajjara Nakito, the mother of the late Amos Ssegawa, who was shot dead at the Cornerstone building in Kampala, spoke about her ongoing struggle for justice and compensation. Despite her loss, Nakito has yet to receive any form of reparation or acknowledgment for her son’s untimely death.
"I want to thank NUP for putting on this day to commemorate our people who were innocently killed for just supporting what they believed in. They took the details of my son, but there is no compensation I have ever seen." Nakito expressed determination to continue seeking justice for her son, who she described as being innocently murdered.
Irene Nankya, the widow of Christopher Kayizi, who was shot during the riots in Kampala, poignantly recalled the day her husband was killed, leaving her a pregnant widow. Overcome with emotion, Nankya revealed that her husband’s death left her alone to care for their three children, without any support.
"My husband was our sole breadwinner. Now, we're left with nothing. I struggle to provide even the basic necessities like food for our children. If it weren't for the kindness of well-wishers and the support from NUP, I don't know how they would survive," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Nankya, a widow, called on President Yoweri Museveni to take responsibility and meet with the families of those who lost their loved ones during the riots. Kyagulanyi also urged the family of NUP supporter Olivia Lutaaya not to feel ashamed or apologize for her recent decision to plead guilty to charges of treachery and illegal possession of explosive devices before the General Court Martial in Makindye.
He explained that NUP could not hold Lutaaya accountable for her decision, considering the sacrifices she had made during her four years in detention. He emphasized that her contribution to the struggle is deeply appreciated. Kyagulanyi further disclosed that Lutaaya had confided in him about plans by security agencies to send her to Kyankwanzi for "patriotism training." She had requested his help in securing legal representation to protect her from what she described as another ordeal after years of imprisonment.
//Cue in: "I heard and …
Cue out:… hold anything against Olivia,"//
Last month, 19 NUP supporters, including Olivia Lutaaya, pleaded guilty to charges of treachery and illegal possession of explosive devices before the General Court Martial in Makindye. Three of the 19 have already been sentenced to four months and one day in prison.
The guilty pleas came nearly four years after their initial arrests. These individuals have been widely regarded as political prisoners due to their unwavering support for Kyagulanyi, particularly during his 2021 presidential campaign as NUP's flag bearer.
Until last month, most of the detainees had refused to plead guilty, but 19 eventually relented, with some appealing to President Museveni for intervention to secure their release.
Fahad Muganga
Freelancer
Kamali. M James
Freelancer