Uganda has denied allegations that it used powerful spyware purchased from a United Kingdom company to track and crush opposition politicians during the 2011 elections according to an International Intelligence Watchdog. The allegations extend to President Yoweri Museveni secretly planning to acquire surveillance equipment ahead of the 2016 elections.
‘Uganda is a nation state, we have the mandate and responsibility to procure all sorts of equipment, that’s not a secret….so long as its directed and intended for the defence and security of the Ugandan people our friends and allies that’s it.” Said Shaban Bantriza, Uganda government spokesperson
Investigations conducted by the International Intelligence Watchdog show hundreds of people were arrested and detained without charges in 2011. The Watchdog alleged that the spyware purchased by the government tracked members of the parliament in the opposition and restricted media outlets from reporting on the opposition.
“Why would the President want to spy on the opposition, we are not a rebel group. But I have made one point. Once a government in power begins facing insecurity, it diverts and shifts its focus on people’s welfare, people’s lives and property and focuses on itself and that’s where we are in Uganda” said Semjju Nkanda, an opposition politician
Recently, Uganda’s opposition rallies have been stopped with some participants being arrested. Ugandan government holds the mandate to grant permission for any gathering.
Uganda has spent about 250 million US dollars on defense and security this financial year.
