Uganda blocks UN rights agency operations in the country

The government of Uganda will now deal directly with the headquarters of the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva, according to the letter seen by The Associated Press. Ugandan officials confirmed that the letter is authentic.

Nicholas Opiyo, a prominent law attorney in Uganda, described the decision as “unfortunate”, saying in a Twitter post that he hoped it was just a misunderstanding that could be cleared up.

The UN rights office in Kampala has been operational since 2006. In recent years, the offices have been the scene of some protests by activists and others seeking to draw attention to rights violations allegedly committed by Ugandan state agents. Allegations include torture and disappearances.

In a violent incident following the 2021 Ugandan presidential polls, police cracked down on journalists who had gone to the office to report on an opposition party’s attempts to petition over alleged violations by security forces.

Opposition member Bobi Wine says many of his supporters are still in illegal detention and has urged the international community to put more pressure on Ugandan authorities over rights issues.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, a US ally on regional security, has been in power since 1986.