Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has hit out at the European Union saying Ugandans and Africans at large do not envy going to Europe.
Museveni made the remarks while addressing the nation on security issues on Saturday evening in a live television boradcast.
He was also responding to the European Union adopted resolutions passed on Thursday in which proposed imposing sanctions on Ugandan individuals and organisations over human rights violations.
“Parliament reiterates that sanctions against individuals and organisations responsible for human rights violations in Uganda must be adopted under the new EU human rights sanction mechanism, the so-called EU Magnitsky Act,” one of the resolutions adopted reads.
However, while responding to the same, Museveni said Ugandans and Africans do envy travelling to Europe as it is meant to appear arguing that as president he usually does it for friendship under intense persuasion.
“In the papers, they are talking that some officials (Ugandans) who should not travel to Europe. Well, I need a lot of persuasion to leave Uganda. I normally do it for friendship,” Museveni said.
He added, “Thinking that we are dying to travel to other countries, is something that shows some lack of seriousness.”
On 7 December 2020, the European Union passed the European Magnitsky Act, which wills the organization to “freeze assets and impose travel bans on individuals involved in serious human rights abuses”.
It can be traced to the Magnitsky legislation which refers to laws providing for governmental sanctions against foreign individuals who have committed human rights abuses or been involved in significant corruption. They originated with the United States which passed the first Magnitsky legislation in 2012, following the death of Sergei Magnitsky in Russia in 2009. Since then, a number of countries have passed similar legislation including Russia, Canada and the United Kingdom.
READ: EU Parliament Adopts Resolution To Impose Sanctions On Ugandan Individuals, Organisations
The EU Parliament also condemned the ‘crackdown on civil society and political activists.
“All those arrested and detained for participating in peaceful political assemblies or for exercising their right to freedom of expression and association must be released,” it says.
The text was approved by 632 votes in favour, 15 against and 48 abstentions.
On the issues of kidnappings that mainly dominated his speech, Museveni defended the army saying it’s not part of the DNA to kidnap and torture.
“The talk of disappearance should be ignored. It can’t happen under the NRM. I heard there is quite a bit of stampede of disappearance in the papers. Every Ugandan under the NRM will be accounted for,” Museveni said.
He added, “The security forces are taught not to violate civilians rights with impunity. If that happens, there will be consequences. The UPDF is a very disciplined force.”
READ: BACK OFF! Uganda Tells EU As Bloc Prepares To Impose Sanctions On Country