Bishop of Busoga diocese, Rt. Rev. Grace Lubaale
Jinja, Uganda | URN | The Bishop of Busoga Diocese, Rt. Rev. Grace Lubaale has called on President Museveni to release all political prisoners. In his Easter message at Christ’s Cathedral, Bugembe, Lubaale stated that releasing political prisoners would demonstrate inclusive coexistence as a unified nation.
“I appeal to President Museveni, his ministers, and whoever is concerned that we have one country, Uganda, where we are living; we don’t have another Uganda, and all of us must live here. I therefore pray for the release of political prisoners, so that they can have easter with their families,” He said.
His message comes amidst raising concerns that several Ugandans, mainly members of the opposition, continue to be incarcerated for political reasons.
Complaints have severaly been raised about the detention of NUP, some of whom have been in jail since the 2021 elections. The continued detention of Dr. Kiiza Besigye and his co-accused continues to generate debate.
Under human rights law, a political prisoner is a person who is arbitrarily deprived of liberty and is subjected to detention in unfair proceedings linked to political or human rights work. It has been said that these individuals are not criminals; they are defenders of democracy and human rights. They represent the conscience of their societies.
Bishop Lubaale says that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ reaffirm the need for reconciliation and forgiveness.
He advised that the political prisoners who were arrested without charge ought to be released with immediate effect, as a means of reuniting them with their families.
He further calls upon the judiciary to quicken the trial procedures for those genuinely accused of involvement in politically related crimes.
“Those who have cases to answer, justice should move very fast. As you remember, we’ve lost people even before their cases are determined. The principle is that when police come to arrest you on a criminal matter, they have already established substantial evidence, so it requires them to send the file in the shortest time possible, and you are tried,” he argued.
He said that prolonged remands frustrate the accused persons and their families, which he advises responsible government entities to avoid.
“How can someone be on remand for five years? That’s not acceptable. It’s not in the law for police to arrest people and then put them in police detention for more than 48 hours. It’s not constitutional, so I appeal to whoever has power in this country to operate within the realms of the constitution,” he said. “ The political prisoners should be released, and for those that have cases to answer, justice should be achievable in the shortest time possible,” he says.
Lubaale has equally guided that democracy is only realized when minority groups have space to say what they want, coupled with the full expression of the rule of law.
“Democracy means accountability, transparency, fair competition, that civil society has space to participate in the country, and that the winner is declared.”
Lubaale washed the feet of his congregants, just like Jesus Christ washed the feet of his disciples prior to the crucifixion.
The event was attended by dozens of congregants, normally referring to the same as holy Thursday, ahead of Easter Sunday.
The congregants described the gesture of washing their feet as an act of servanthood being exhibited by their topmost church leaders.
Ruth Kikobye, who came along with her two daughters, noted that the act of washing their feet renewed her faith in God and the urge to prioritize the needs of others above herself.
