Association
In June 2024, for unknown reasons, police arrested Mr. Adriko Sostein, an environmental human rights defender, for one day before releasing him on bond. In a similar incident, police also harassed Mr. Julius Tumwiine and Mr. Ezama Chirilo, both human rights defenders, and surrounded Tumwiine’s house while he was away. Ezama voluntarily reported to the police and secured a bond. Prior to this, the Resident District Commissioner summoned the three after they held a peaceful protest and delivered a petition to Daqing Oil Construction, demanding respect for local communities' human rights and an end to oil extraction activities.
On 22nd July 2024, Ugandan security forces surrounded the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters and blocked access to the offices near Kampala ahead of the anti-corruption protests. NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, reported that security forces violently arrested several opposition leaders and detained others.
On 22nd August 2024, eight victims of police brutality sued the Ugandan government and ten police officers for human rights violations, citing illegal arrests and detentions. These victims are among the 192 human rights defenders including youth, students, civil society groups, and oil-affected communities who have faced ongoing violations while campaigning for human and environmental rights. The victims seek a court declaration concerning these abuses and a permanent order to prevent further police and government interference in their activities.
Chaos. Uganda's security forces begin intercepting and arresting youths who are marching to parliament over corruption, in downtown Kampala. #March2Parliament. pic.twitter.com/zxgsXCLg37
— Kennedy Wandera (@KennedyWandera_) July 23, 2024
Peaceful Assembly
In July 2024, Uganda experienced anti-corruption protests inspired by youth-led demonstrations in Kenya, which were previously documented on the Monitor. Protesters demanded the resignation of Speaker Anita Among, a reduction in the salaries of members of parliament (MPs), and an end to corruption and misuse of public funds. The government responded with violence and used force to suppress dissent. Prior to the start of the protests, President Museveni threatened protesters, and warned that they were "playing with fire."
On 17th July 2024, police injured four journalists with tear gas canisters while disrupting a meeting organiised by local leaders to inform residents of their rights against ongoing evictions by the National Environmental Authority (NEMA). Joseph Balikuddembe from 89.2 CBS FM, Tonny Ngambo from 88.8 CBS FM, Ali Mubiru from Pearl FM, and Victoria Bagaya from NBS TV sustained serious injuries. The meeting was organised as NEMA conducts evictions in wetlands across Kampala and its metropolitan areas in a bid to restore these encroached lands.
On 23rd July 2024, police in Kampala detained at least 45 anti-corruption protesters and charged them with "common nuisance," alleging that their actions were likely to breach the peace. Among those arrested was NTV and KFM Radio presenter Faiza Salima, also known as Faiza Fabz, who was sent to Luzira prison for participating in the “march to Parliament” protests. On 25th July 2024, 42 protesters appeared in court, faced with charges of "common nuisance." All pleaded not guilty and were instructed to return to court between 30th July and 6th August. On 29th July 2024, the Chief Magistrate's Court granted cash bail of UGX 100,000 (USD 27) each to 10 of the protesters, with a return date set for 29th August 2024, for the hearing of their case. On 30th July 2024, trial magistrate Rita Kadisa Neumbe granted bail to four additional protesters -- Thomas Kanzira, Faiza Salima, Bernard Olupot and Hamala Edgar. The court now charges the four, and an additional protester Aljab Musinguzi, with public nuisance after they dismissed the “idle and disorderly” charge.
On 5th August 2024, Ugandan police arrested 14 opposition officials and supporters, including two lawmakers, during a protest in Kampala against Kenya’s deportation of 36 Ugandan members of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). The FDC members had travelled to Kenya for a training session, but faced deportation, and thereafter faced terrorism-related charges upon their return to Uganda. The arrested protesters in Kampala were charged with "unlawful assembly" and "public nuisance." Four were released on bail, while the rest remained in custody and will return to court on 7th August 2024.
Expression
On 18th June 2024, Ugandan authorities arrested GrapeVine journalists Dickson Mubiru and Alirabaki Sengooba and charged them with publishing information without a broadcasting licence, a regulation intended for radio and television. The authorities linked their arrest to investigative reports on a judicial conflict and an article exposing parliamentary corruption. On 20th June 2024, the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court charged them with publishing information without a broadcasting licence. On 9th July 2024, the court granted both journalists a cash bail of 1 million shillings (USD 271) and released them.