Daniel Kawuma

Pharmacist (Pharm. D) |Human Rights Activist|Founder & Board Chairman of Ugandan Diaspora Investment Company Temba| NUP Diaspora Team Leader USA

[Daniel Kawuma @Kawuma]

“Hunger Games.” NRM throwing crumbs at Ugandans suffering from abject poverty, malnutrition, unemployment, lack of healthcare, poor infrastructure and education. After 34 years in power, our nation deserves better!! #UgandaDecides2021 #JobsNotBrownEnvelopes

[Daniel Kawuma @Kawuma]

2/2

History teaches us that democracies rarely collapse overnight. They collapse gradually, one arrested journalist, one abducted activist, one imprisoned opposition leader, one silenced court, and one closed newsroom at a time until silence itself becomes state policy.

Uganda now stands at such a crossroads. The courage displayed by journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders, religious leaders, political prisoners, and ordinary citizens reminds us that democracy is ultimately sustained not by governments but by people willing to defend it despite enormous personal cost.

As Ugandans living across the world, we refuse to become spectators while our homeland descends further into fear. We will continue to amplify the voices of the oppressed. We will continue to advocate peacefully for justice. We will continue to stand with every Ugandan who believes that no individual, no family, and no military institution stands above the law.

The struggle before us is larger than politics. It is a struggle for the soul of Uganda. The world still has an opportunity to act, not tomorrow, but today. For every day that repression is tolerated, the cost of restoring peace, democracy, and national reconciliation grows immeasurably higher.

Dr. Daniel Kawuma
On behalf of the National Unity Platform Diaspora Team

[Daniel Kawuma @Kawuma]

Statement from the National Unity Platform Diaspora Team on Muhoozi Kainerugaba's Escalating Assault on Democracy, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law in Uganda

June 28, 2026

This weekend marked more than another episode of political repression in Uganda. With armed soldiers surrounding the offices of Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda and forcing them off the air, Uganda crossed another dangerous line in its steady descent from authoritarianism toward outright military rule.

Independent journalism has once again been treated as an enemy of the state rather than a pillar of democracy. The public declaration by Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, that he "does not believe in a free press" is not merely an attack on journalists, it is an attack on every Ugandan's constitutional right to know, to question, and to speak.

Reports over the weekend involving abduction and detention of veteran reform advocate Miria Matembe, constitutional governance advocate Sarah Bireete, Akina Mama wa Afrika Executive Director Eunice Musiime, media executive Susan Nsibirwa, and others illustrate a broader pattern that has become familiar to Ugandans but insufficiently appreciated abroad.

This comes against the backdrop of 130 National Unity Platform supporters who remain imprisoned after abductions and prolonged detention, many without timely or transparent judicial processes. Opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye continues to remain in detention following his cross-border arrest from Nairobi, while Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has himself been arrested and prosecuted after providing legal representation.

For years, the National Unity Platform Diaspora has warned development partners that Uganda was moving toward precisely this moment. We warned that the systematic erosion of judicial independence, the shrinking of civic space, the militarization of civilian institutions, the criminalization of political opposition, and the intimidation of the media would eventually threaten not only Uganda's democracy but the stability of the entire East African region.

Today, those warnings are no longer theoretical. When military commanders openly dictate which newspapers may publish, which television stations may broadcast, which lawyers may represent clients, which activists may organize, and which citizens may speak, the distinction between constitutional government and military rule disappears.

We address our message directly to Uganda's international development partners including the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United Nations, the African Union, the Commonwealth, international financial institutions, and all governments committed to democratic values.

For decades, geopolitical interests have too often taken precedence over the democratic aspirations of the Ugandan people. Limited sanctions against a handful of officials have not altered the trajectory of authoritarianism while substantial military cooperation, financial assistance, loans, and other bilateral support have continued.

We therefore respectfully call upon Uganda's international partners to:

• Publicly condemn the ongoing attacks on journalists, civil society, political opposition, and independent institutions.

• Demand the immediate reopening of all media houses unlawfully shut down.

• Call for the immediate release of political prisoners and all persons detained solely for exercising their constitutional rights.

• Support independent international investigations into allegations of enforced disappearances, torture, unlawful detention, and politically motivated prosecutions.

• Review military assistance, security cooperation, and financial support to ensure that international resources are not contributing to human rights abuses or democratic backsliding.

• Increase support for independent media, civil society organizations and institutions working to preserve constitutional governance.

1/2

[Daniel Kawuma @Kawuma]

With several media houses shut down and journalists under assault in Uganda, is this the defining story you’re chasing today Mr. @CanaryMugume ?

[BOBI WINE @HEBobiwine]

Two leading civil society leaders and distinguished lawyers, Dr. Sarah Bireete E.D @ccgea1 and Eunice Musiime E.D @amwaafrika are the latest victims of the ongoing criminality. They have been abducted by the military and driven off to an unknown destination. These are definitely tough times, but the TOUGH PEOPLE OF UGANDA will outlive them. Uganda will be free!

[Daniel Kawuma @Kawuma]

Come next week, Allan Kasujja @kasujja might be Uganda’s only news source. North Korea mode loading!! #TheMinistryofTruth

[Daniel Kawuma @Kawuma]

For years, we cautioned the United States @StateDept and Western partners about the Museveni regime in Uganda. Today, Muhoozi’s actions including arbitrary arrests, media suppression, disappearances, torture, and violence against opposition are escalating. Inaction costs lives and taxpayers’ money from allied nations. It’s not too late to act: defend fundamental rights, uphold accountability, and stop funding repression. Stand with the Ugandan people against this onslaught on democracy. @AsstSecStateAF @marcorubio @realDonaldTrump @10DowningStreet @UKGov @EUinUK @EU_Commission @AmbassadorUK @MFA_Uganda

[Daily Monitor @DailyMonitor]

BREAKING NEWS: Military lays siege to Daily Monitor, NTV after Gen Muhoozi orders shutdown

Details👇🏽 https://t.co/pLfV0nONlp

[Daniel Kawuma @Kawuma]

Instead of reading scriptures to the masses, you can practice the gospel by speaking to your immediate family members who are abducting, jailing, brutalizing, disappearing, or killing innocent Ugandans. The latest victim is Mama Miria Matembe. Join the voices demanding her whereabouts. Let’s put the scriptures into action.

[Daniel Kawuma @Kawuma]

I wonder how these characters, most of whom are well-educated individuals, sleep at night knowing that they are the faces of Museveni’s son and the military gangs that are terrorizing Ugandans, assaulting women, torturing and abducting civilians with drones.

The same outfit that posts photos of victims of brutality on social media. This includes the Speaker of Parliament and even ministers in their own capacities. “If you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

[Daniel Kawuma @Kawuma]

The regime seeks to provoke Ugandans by trampling on our dignity, and even when we are down, they find new ways to humiliate and dehumanize innocent civilians. This will not extinguish the hope for change in Uganda. We stand in solidarity with one of Uganda’s most inspiring figures, Miria Matembe, @miriamatembe who is being humiliated by Museveni’s son and his associates. It is a tragedy that NRM has women who remain silent and others who are enablers as we have witnessed in the courts while other women are abused, molested, and tortured. Justice will eventually prevail.

[Barbie Kyagulanyi @BarbieItungoK]

My heart goes out to Maama Dr. Miria Matembe who is being hunted down and our sister @SarahBireete who just got raided. May you still gather the courage to speak your truth during this difficult time.

They have built a throne for fear to reign among us and when they raid our homes and strip our dignity bare, they think they will undress our courage! We condemn every act of cruelty being unleashed on Uganda’s daughters, women and mothers.

To the sisters who have been beaten, raped, raided, left alone to fend for families while the breadwinners are abducted, kept in unknown detention and silenced. Be of courage! Injustice doesn’t reign forever! History will remember your wounds!

[Daniel Kawuma @Kawuma]

The state of Uganda torture chambers under Museveni and his son Muhoozi!!
@StateDept @AsstSecStateAF @marcorubio @realDonaldTrump @EUinUG @WorldBankAfrica @IMFNews
This is what you are knowingly or unknowingly financing!!

[Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda @SsemujjuIN]

Muhoozi has asked NRM MPs to set fire on the house in which they are seated. As usual, they are fighting over the matchbox each wanting to be the one to do it. That is what the amendment of the administration of parliament act means. This law was enacted to strengthen Parliament and make it independent of the executive. The beneficiary are saying, lets dismantle it. First they targeted @AnitahAmong, now it is @JoelSsenyonyi: wait for your turn!

[KIIZA ERON @kiizaeron]

They want to choose lawyers 4 @kizzabesigye1. They have removed @MarthaKarua and @EriasLukwago_ from the Besigye defense team. They have deported the former and abducted, beaten and jailed the latter. The @JudiciaryUG is playing along for the sake of promotions and other perks.

[Daniel Kawuma @Kawuma]

The Museveni regime has exhausted every tactic to erode Ugandans’ faith in elections and democracy. They know that a majority of Ugandans yearn for change. When a regime lacks popular legitimacy, it resorts to coercion, intimidation, abduction, extrajudicial killings and deployment of the military rather than engaging in genuine, competitive governance. Stay the course in peaceful resolve, seek justice through lawful channels, and keep faith in a future where the will of the people prevails. #Kalangala

[Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda @SsemujjuIN]

Lukwago denied bail as expected. @mkainerugaba had said "Lukwago will be in prison for 10 years." I had no doubt in my mind that the Magistrate was waiting for the ruling to append her signature. That is why she kept on postponing the ruling from Monday morning to 2pm to within next 24 hours. The whole plot is to deny Besigye lawyers who are forceful to enable Emmanuel Baguma convict @kizzabesigye1 as quickly as Muhoozi wishes. @EriasLukwago in jail and @MarthaKarua deported.
I hope the country remembers that @KagutaMuseveni wanted the Constitution amended to stop court from granting bail. This time, even the NRM MPs refused. He vowed to find other ways. Through cadre judges and magistrates, Museveni has found the other ways. Guys our country has gone; finished!

[Amnesty International USA @amnestyusa]

Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua’s detention and deportation from Uganda are unlawful and outrageous.

https://t.co/93tOGA7eJY

[Daniel Kawuma @Kawuma]

@NRMOnline There are many empty chairs at dining tables across Uganda for families whose loved ones are abducted by your NRM regime, kept in detention without trial, and denied bail. You should be used to empty seats by now, given the ones you have created in our country.

[Daniel Kawuma @Kawuma]

Presumption of innocence and timely justice must guide Uganda’s courts @JudiciaryUG. It was clear in 2016, when @KagutaMuseveni attacked the judiciary for granting civilians bail, that many judicial officers would be intimidated, and as expected they began denying bail for regime political opponents facing trumped-up charges. From that time it became evident that bail decisions were aimed at silencing critics.

To this day, unjustified pre-trial detentions stretch toward five years and more for many political prisoners who haven’t faced a verdict. Dr. @BesigyeKizza and Lord Mayor @EriasLukwago join a long list of Ugandans serving time without being found guilty.

A broken justice system hurts everyone, even those beneficiaries of the state who think it’s working for them today. Down the road, the pendulum might swing and you too will need due process that you are denying others.

An independent and strong judiciary must prioritize the restoration of due process with clear time limits, independent oversight, and faster, fair trials for all. It’s unacceptable to keep civilians in jail without trial. It’s wrong!

[Daniel Kawuma @Kawuma]

Mr. @AndrewMwenda has mastered the art of staying silent while Muhoozi is terrorizing Ugandans, and then months later emerging to endorse the oppressors with his talking points that the opposition are radical extremists. The tragedy of Uganda’s elites!