President Kyagulanyi Ssentamu Robert alias Bobi Wine has lashed out at the Emmerson Mnangagwa administration for passing a bill that repressively takes the rights of dissenting citizens of Zimbabwe.
In a Monday morning tweet statement, Bobi expressed solidarity with the Zimbabwean opposition whose rights to expression the bill intends to take away.
Bobi Wine;
This past week, Zimbabwe’s Parliament passed an amendment to their Criminal Law Code that punishes citizens for any actions that “willfully damage the sovereignty and national interests” of the country, along with other actions considered “unpatriotic.” Violators of this law face up to 20 years in prison and risk having their citizenship revoked. This move resonates with calls previously made by regime officials here in Uganda to pass a similar law, which is concerning.
We express our solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe as they face yet another chapter of persecution for daring to oppose their leaders. The so-called “Patriots law” severely curtails Zimbabweans’ freedom of expression and their ability to hold their leaders accountable. Witnessing attempts to suppress dissent and undermine the democratic rights of citizens is deeply troubling.
The new amendment unfairly restricts the fundamental rights of Zimbabweans and undermines the democratic fabric of the nation. In solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe, we urge their Government to reverse this law and safeguard the democratic values and rights of its citizens, especially their freedoms to speak and associate freely with each other.
