Former Bugabula South Member of Parliament Proscovia Salaamu Musumba has spoken out about her current situation, expressing concerns about her safety and potential exile. In a recent online discussion on Witness Protection and Safe Evacuation hosted by the Uganda Law Society (ULS), Musumba urged Ugandans to prepare for the possibility of leaving their homes to protect their lives. She emphasized that seeking safety should not be seen as a sign of weakness or shame.
Musumba's comments suggest that she may not return to Uganda soon due to fears of possible arrest and detention. Sources close to her indicate that it may take a long time for the former Movement cadre-turned-opposition politician to return to Uganda under the prevailing political storm. Musumba is still processing her asylum in a country yet to be disclosed, joining former Kiira MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, who has also not returned to Uganda since his name was linked to the Kizza Besigye case.
Musumba recounted her experience of living in fear and social isolation after being named in court proceedings linked to Dr. Kizza Besigye. She described being shocked when her name surfaced at Nakawa Magistrates' Court in connection with the amended indictment involving Besige and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. Musumba disputed the allegations, which included claims that she had organized meetings in Geneva, Brussels, and Greece.
The allegations had a significant impact on Musumba's personal life and sense of security. She said she only began to appreciate the danger after several lawyers intervened to warn her that she could be at risk. Musumba questioned why her name had been brought into the proceedings, arguing that the effect was to make her appear guilty and isolate her from other people.
Musumba's concerns about political persecution and the safety of people caught up in political conflict are rooted in her earlier humanitarian work. She spent 10 years working with the Red Cross after 1986, witnessing the consequences of conflict, including displacement, family separation, and the need to evacuate people from unsafe areas. This experience informed her decision to enter politics, with the aim of preventing displacement and promoting safety, freedom, and justice.
Musumba recalled entering the Constituent Assembly with the hope that the Constitution would provide a framework for protecting all Ugandans, regardless of their political beliefs. However, she believes the country has moved away from that ambition, warning that the problem of insecurity is no longer limited to individual politicians but has become a broader issue affecting many Ugandans.
Musumba emphasized the need for Uganda to develop its own support mechanisms and dispute resolution channels, rather than relying exclusively on international humanitarian organizations. She stressed that the ultimate aspiration remains the ability of Ugandans to live safely in their own country, rather than being forced into displacement or exile.
Key points
- Salaamu Musumba expresses concerns about her safety and potential exile due to her connection to Dr. Kizza Besigye's trial.
- Musumba urges Ugandans to prepare for the possibility of leaving their homes to protect their lives.
- Musumba emphasizes the need for Uganda to develop its own support mechanisms and dispute resolution channels.
