Congratulations on your graduation, @GraceKyakuwa70. Just know you're an inspiration to so many people out there, who are trying to beat odds and succeed in different endeavors.
At around 3:30am this morning, Fazir Mayanja, an outspoken critic of the Museveni regime, and passionate advocate for good governance, arrived in Uganda from Ireland where he lives. He was intercepted at Entebbe Airport and handed over to 'security' for screening. They conducted a physical search on him and profiled him. Shortly after, his phones went off. His family members who were waiting for him at the airport have been denied access to him up to now. For over 15 hours, no one knows what's going on with him! It is unclear if he is still being held at the airport or if he has been abducted and taken to one of those illegal places of detention. This is yet another move to intimidate and silence voices of dissent against the criminal regime. And it must be condemned by all people of good conscience.
As we celebrate Labour Day, it is important to recognize and honor the hard work and contributions of the resilient, unsung heroes in the informal sector. These men and women, including taxi drivers, boda boda riders, porters, domestic servants, market workers and small-scale farmers, among others, play a vital role in sustaining the Ugandan economy.
Although they contribute to more than 50 per cent of our economy and are responsible for more than 80 per cent of employment, their labor is often not rewarded as much as it should be. They are the backbone of our society, working tirelessly day in and day out to provide for themselves and their families, and to support their communities. They face countless challenges and obstacles, from long hours to difficult working conditions, yet they remain steadfast and dedicated to their craft.
It is through their perseverance and hard work that our economy continues to thrive, and it is our duty to ensure that they are given the respect and support they deserve. Let us take this Labour Day as an opportunity to thank these unsung heroes and to recommit ourselves to working towards a future where every worker is valued and rewarded fairly for their contributions.
To all our brothers and sisters in the informal sector, we salute you and thank you for your unwavering commitment and dedication to our nation. Happy Labour Day!
Olivia Lutaaya. 30-year-old mother of two and a supporter of the National Unity Platform. She has spent a combined total of nearly 3 years in detention without trial, alongside other comrades.
She was first arrested with the rest of my campaign team in December 2020 and detained for several months without trial until she was given bail by the military court. A few months after her release, around May 2021, she was abducted and held incommunicado for weeks, undergoing torture.
Later, she was produced before the Military Court Martial without the knowledge of her lawyers and family, charged with illegal possession of military equipment, and then remanded to prison. Upon learning of this development, our legal team filed a bail application for her and others but the military court took over 9 months just to fix it for hearing. The application was finally heard but summarily dismissed!
Several other bail applications have been denied by the military court over ridiculous grounds. Last month, the kangaroo court added on Olivia's file a further charge of Treachery, prompting a protest from Olivia and her co-accused persons.
As day follows night, there will be accountability for these crimes against humanity!
#FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners #BringBackOurPeople #WeAreRemovingaDictator
This video explains the health worker deployment challenges facing our public health facilities. Please spare some time to watch it. #UgandaHealthExhibition#Labisa