36 opposition supporters on Monday were charged with terrorism related offences after they were deported from neighboring Kenya where they had travelled to attend a training course, according to court papers seen by Reuters.
The 36 who are members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), one of Uganda’s opposition parties, deny the charges. Their lawyer, Erias Lukwago, told reporters outside the magistrates’ court in Kampala the charges were “ridiculous”.
The case comes after protests by young people in both Uganda and Kenya against corruption, high taxes and other grievances.
The 36 people were detained, then deported by Kenyan authorities after travelling to Kisumu on July 23 to take part in a leadership and governance training course, their lawyer and party officials stated
Kiiza Besigye, a key figure in the FDC took it to X platform and stated that during the detention of the 36, their properties were confiscated, including computers and phones. They were tortured and several injured.
Reuters could not independently confirm those accusations.
The court charge sheet accused the 36 of travelling to Kenya “For the purpose of providing or receiving terrorist training”.
Opposition critics and human rights campaigners have long accused Museveni’s government of using fabricated charges to clamp down on his opponents. Government officials deny this.
Last week security personnel detained more than 100 young Ugandans for participating in protests against rampant corruption among government officials.
