The European Union (EU) has joined other rights bodies in demanding the unconditional release of novelist and activist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, held incommunicado for more than a week despite court ordering police to free him.
In a tweet on yesterday, Eamon Gilmore, the EU special representative for human rights, urged the authorities in Kampala to release Kakwenza, who was kidnapped by gunmen on December 28th and disappeared until police acknowledged holding him.
Mr Gilmore’s concerns were shared by Ms Maria Håkansson, the ambassador of Sweden to Uganda, who expressed “full support” for the EU representative.
The EU delegation to Uganda, which manages the “EU-Uganda relations, programmes and activities” also supported the call in response.
Police say they are holding Kakwenza on allegations of offensive communication after a series of belittling, derogatory and abusive tweets about President Museveni and his son, Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba (Commander of Land Forces).
He has, however, not been formally charged.
