Uganda President’s Son Posts Torture Video on Social Media

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, son of Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni, has controversially shared a video on X that depicts the torture of Edward Ssebuufu, a prominent opposition activist. The footage, which reportedly showcases Ssebuufu’s suffering, aims to highlight brutality under the current dictatorship, according to the Telegraph. Kainerugaba, who serves as Commander of Uganda's Armed Forces and is often seen as a potential successor to his father, shared several posts detailing Ssebuufu's ordeal, describing distressing actions taken against him. Various human rights advocates have condemned Kainerugaba’s behavior, which includes taunting the imprisoned activist by mentioning his physical pain. Ssebuufu, the head of security for opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, was arrested near Kampala on April 27 and reportedly went missing before Kainerugaba's posts revealed his captivity. This disturbing episode follows a pattern of aggressive posturing by Kainerugaba, who has previously threatened military action against Kenya and expressed admiration for controversial figures like Vladimir Putin.

Authorities in Kampala, Uganda, are responding to a severe air quality crisis linked to over 7,000 deaths in the past four years. The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has installed 65 air quality sensors throughout the city to monitor pollution levels and inform response strategies, according to SciDev.net. Kampala's air pollution exceeds World Health Organization recommendations by eightfold, significantly affecting the health of its 5 million residents, with rising cases of heart disease, asthma, and other chronic conditions. Alex Ndyabakira, KCCA's head of air quality monitoring, highlighted plans to implement a train system on the Eastern route, which has been identified as heavily polluted. Key pollution sources include home energy use, transportation, and solid waste, with suggestions for mitigation such as transitioning to induction stoves or electric vehicles. Sumi Mehta, vice president of climate and environmental health at Vital Strategies, emphasized that advancements in technology make air quality monitoring more efficient and less costly, providing critical data for public health policies.

Kizza Besigye, a leading Ugandan opposition figure and four-time presidential candidate, was taken back to a maximum-security prison on Wednesday after appearing in a civilian court, where his health condition raised concerns. Lawyers attempted to secure his release, but a judge found him too frail to follow the proceedings, according to reports from local media. Besigye has been detained since November, leading to growing calls from supporters and human rights groups for improved medical care and his release. His family reported that he began a hunger strike in protest against his continued imprisonment. This came after Uganda's Supreme Court ruled that military tribunals lack jurisdiction over civilians, prompting legal arguments for his immediate release. As Besigye's situation worsens, observers warn that further deterioration could incite unrest in Uganda, where political tensions are high ahead of presidential elections next year. President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, dismissed calls for Besigye's release, citing serious charges against him, including treachery—a charge that carries severe penalties.