350Africa.org has condemned the arrest of six climate activists from the Africa Institute for Energy Governance (AFIEGO) and called for their immediate and unconditional release.
The group stated that the arrest was made under “unclear circumstances”, and that a nursing mother and an ailing lady were among those arrested.
“350 Africa.org condemns the move to arrest the six in the strongest terms possible and calls for their immediate and unconditional release,” it announced in a statement.
350Africa.org Regional Director, Landry Ninteretse, said: “We stand with our comrades from AFIEGO, who have been arrested under unclear circumstances in Uganda and are currently being held at Kiira police station.
“This incident is clearly part of a campaign of intimidation, harassment and persecution of civil society organisations defending the rights of communities affected by destructive and extractive projects, especially oil projects in which TotalEnergies is the main player.
AFIEGO has been on the frontline of the fight for environmental conservation and the fight for the rights of project affected community members.
Friday’s arrest follows a police raid on the AFIEGO’s Kampala offices on Wednesday October 13, 2021. During the raid, police arrested some staff members, including two nursing mothers.
The staff were released on police bond on Wednesday October 13 and Thursday October 14, 2021.
A holding charge of operating without a permit was preferred against them. Police informed the staff that the National Bureau for Non-governmental organisations (NGO Bureau) had ordered their arrest.
