The National Unity Platform (NUP) Diaspora leadership, together with party president Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, has held a series of high-level engagements on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., in a move aimed at amplifying the concerns of Ugandans on the global stage.
In a statement released by Dr. Daniel Kawuma the NUP Diaspora Team Leader, on Friday, the diaspora team said the meetings form part of a broader strategy to advocate for justice, accountability, and democratic governance in Uganda, which they say has endured decades of leadership under President Yoweri Museveni.
“Our mission remains clear, to stand for justice, to advocate for the voiceless, and to work tirelessly toward the realization of a free, democratic Uganda,” the statement read.
The group said it presented concerns over alleged human rights violations, including abductions, enforced disappearances, unlawful detention, and torture of Ugandans, particularly those perceived to be aligned with the opposition.
“We carry with us the stories of those who have been abducted, disappeared, unlawfully detained, tortured, and silenced — Ugandans whose rights and dignity continue to be violated,” the statement added.
The NUP diaspora leadership pledged to pursue every lawful and strategic avenue to advance accountability and increase international awareness about the situation in Uganda, noting that the diaspora remains a key stakeholder in the country’s democratic aspirations.
However, the group expressed concern over what it described as a contradiction between the government’s public posture and realities on the ground.
It cited ongoing security operations against opposition supporters, even as authorities promote dialogue through institutions such as the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda.
“It is concerning that even as the Museveni government projects an image of dialogue and engagement, the military continues to abduct, torture, and jail opposition supporters and associates of Bobi Wine,” the statement said.
According to the diaspora leadership, this disconnect reflects a longstanding pattern in Uganda’s political environment, where reform efforts are often accompanied by continued restrictions on fundamental freedoms.
The team called on Ugandans, particularly those living abroad, to remain resilient and engaged in efforts to push for change.
“This is a moment that calls for resilience, hard work, unity, and sustained engagement. History reminds us that change is often born out of perseverance, courage, and collective resolve,” the statement noted.
