National Unity Platform (NUP) activist Yusuf Machete has demanded answers from authorities at Kitalya Mini-Max Prison after he was denied access to political prisoners despite presenting his identification and following the required visitation procedures.
Machete said he had travelled to the prison intending to visit prisoners, including Gaddafi and Wakabi Smart, but was stopped at the final security checkpoint after officials allegedly received an order “from above.”
According to the activist, he successfully passed through two security gates before being denied entry at the last checkpoint.
“I demand justice and transparency from the authorities at Kitalya Mini-Max Prison,” Machete said, questioning the basis of the decision to block him from seeing the prisoners.
He said the incident was particularly concerning because he had been permitted to visit prisoners at Murchison Bay Prison in Luzira only a day earlier without encountering similar restrictions.
“Just yesterday, I was allowed to visit prisoners at Murchison Bay Prison Luzira without any difficulty,” he stated.
Machete is now seeking clarification on who allegedly issued the directive and the legal grounds upon which his access was denied.
“Who issued this order? Why was I denied access? What lawful restriction justified this decision, because I am not a convict?” he asked.
The NUP activist argued that prison authorities should respect the rights of visitors who comply with established procedures, while also demanding accountability over what he described as a disturbing incident.
His complaint comes amid continued scrutiny of the treatment and detention of opposition supporters and political figures in Uganda, with opposition groups repeatedly raising concerns over access to detainees and conditions in detention facilities.
Machete called on the prison authorities to provide a clear explanation for the decision, particularly regarding the alleged instruction that prevented him from proceeding beyond the final security checkpoint.
The activist's account, however, represents his side of the incident, and the prison authorities had not, in the statement provided, publicly explained why he was denied entry.