Families of 10 Ugandan nationals detained in Zambia are appealing to the Ugandan government to urgently intervene, saying their relatives have been held at Kamwala Remand Prison in Lusaka since Aug. 6 without being formally charged or brought before a court.
The appeal, addressed to Ugandan ministers by one Clinton Akandwanaho on behalf of the families, says the group was intercepted after arriving at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka on Aug. 6 and has remained in detention for more than a month.
The families say they have received no formal explanation from Zambian airport or immigration authorities regarding the reasons for the detention and that the detainees have not been informed of charges against them.
“We earnestly implore the Ministry to use its diplomatic channels to engage Zambian authorities, ensure consular access, and secure their immediate release or a prompt, lawful hearing before a court,” Akandwanaho said in the appeal.
Among those identified by the families are Agaba Jordan, Twineomugisha Edson, Kasolo Jafaali, Ssegujja Joseph, Musiimenta Felex and Mugema Ratib.
The families say the travellers had valid travel documents, return air tickets on Ethiopian Airlines and hotel reservations at Carousel Hotel in Lusaka covering Aug. 6 to Aug. 14.
They provided the airline booking reference and passport details to the Ugandan authorities for verification.
The families also allege that the detainees have suffered psychological distress during the prolonged detention and say they have been frustrated by what they describe as repeated assurances from local legal counsel that have not resulted in a court appearance or resolution.
“We possess direct audio recordings from our detained family members as well as recordings of their lawyer discussing this ongoing situation, which we are ready to share to substantiate these claims,” the appeal said.
The families are asking the Ugandan government to establish the circumstances surrounding the detention, secure consular access and establish whether the detainees have been charged with any offence.
They also want the Zambian authorities either to release the Ugandan nationals or bring them before a court without further delay.
The families said they were seeking urgent government intervention because of the continued uncertainty surrounding the whereabouts and legal status of their relatives.
