Prowling Ugandan Forces Crack Down On Environment Activists

…Police Arrest AFFIEGO Managers, Two Brestfeeding Mothers

ENVRIONMENTAL concerns group, Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO) has raised the alarm over incessant arrest and detention of its staff and activitists by the Ugandan Police in recent times.

According to a statement which Prime Business Africa secured from the AFIEGO Board, six staff of the group were arrested on Friday and detained at Kiira Police Station in Kampala, the Uganda capital.

The six AFIEGO staff include Mr. Dickens Kamugisha, CEO; Ms. Rachael Amongin, Assistant Communications Officer; Ms. Catherine Twongyeirwe, Finance and Adminstration Assistant; Ms. Mercy Nuwamanya, Front desk officer; Mr. Patrick Edema, Research Associate and; Mr. Paul Kato, Research Associate.

Part of the statement reads, “Of the arrested staff, one is a new breastfeeding mom while another is sick and was on treatment before she was re-arrested. Police is yet to indicate the charges on which the staff were arrested or re-arrested.”

The board also stated that police had, on Wednesday October 13, 2021, raided AFIEGO’s Kampala office and arrested some staff, including two breastfeeding mothers without police permit which the group said was illegal.

The staff were released the following day on police bond. Police only informed them that the National Bureau for Non-governmental organisations (NGO Bureau) had ordered the arrest of the AFIEGO staff.

The statement also revealed that none of the arrested activists has been arraigned by the Ugandan law enforcement agents, but instead kept in detention.

AFIEGO is an NGO that is committed to promoting good governance on energy and environmental projects for the benefit of all, including the poor in different parts of Africa.

Prior to the latest raid and arrest, the Kampala police had also raided AFIEGO office in August and Early October and arrested some of the staff. The force also arrested some community human rights activists who criticised government’s activities on issues about the environment relating to forests management and oil projects in various communities.

The group said there is ongoing effort by the Ugandan government to silence critical voices that speak out against destruction of the environment and abuse of oil project-affected communities’ rights.

AFIEGO is the leader of the Save Bugoma Forest Campaign (SBFC) and alongside its partners, AFIEGO has been vocal in advocating protection of Bugoma forest from land grabbing, oil and sugarcane challenges.

The group has also been vocal in advocating the rights of communities affected by the Tilenga, East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and oil refinery projects.

Those close to the matter believe that arrest of AFIEGO staff and their partners is aimed at silencing critical voices from the organisation and others.

The group assured all stakeholders that it would fight to see that the detained staff and partner activists are released.

“AFIEGO is unequovically calling on police to release its six staff. The NGO Bureau should also desist from giving unlawful orders for the arrest of AFIEGO staff.”

It said it remains resolute in fighting the cause of environmental justice, adding that it is determined to sue security and government officials who illegally arrest AFIEGO staff and partner activists.