"But for me, James Kabengwa, and many other Africans who have made the UK their home, Brighton Pride is something more profound. It is a jubilant declaration of freedom. Back home, our lives are in danger. Our very existence is criminalized. We live in fear, in the shadows, constantly looking over our shoulders."
By RICHARD KIZZA LUGOBWA LONDON. East African states, often praised for their economic potential and regional cooperation, are increasingly creating hostile environments for political dissent. Governments in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya—despite their democratic pretenses—have perfected tactics of repression, ranging from trumped-up charges and enforced disappearances to brutal crackdowns on opposition voices. The region’s leaders appear to be taking cues from one another, creating a disturbing pattern where dissent is met with state-sanctioned violence, legal persecution, and media suppression. In Tanzania, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, initially welcomed as a breath of fresh air after the authoritarian rule of John Magufuli, has shown that political repression remains deeply entrenched. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who survived an assassination attempt in 2017, returned from exile only to face fresh politically motivated charges. Accusations of sedition and incitement have been slapped against him, ahead of […]
Kampala, Uganda: The former spokesperson for the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID), Charles Twiine appeared in court on Thursday to face serious charges including inciting violence, hate speech, spreading malicious information, and conspiracy to commit a felony. The charges stem from an alleged plot to assassinate President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces. Twiine was arraigned before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayizzi alongside co-accused Noah Mutwe, a bodyguard to National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine. Mutwe has reportedly been in detention for two weeks prior to the court appearance. Prosecutors allege that Twiine used social media platforms to incite Mutwe—also known as Mitala Noah—to attack and kill President Museveni using “pavers,” allegedly motivated by opposition to Museveni’s political ideology and leadership. The state further claims that both […]
By RICHARD KIZZA LUGOBWA LONDON: Religion and politics have since time immemorial been intertwined institutions as both thrive on systems of beliefs, values and practices which shape people’s lives and attitude, and guide collective action. Molarity takes center stage in religious teachings which as well is one of the strongest pillars in politics. Religious ideologies shape political movements, religious leaders influence political decisions, and political actors often use religious rhetoric to amass support which aids their firm grip to power. Mahatma Gandhi once said that “those who believe religion and politics aren't connected don't understand either”. Uganda’s case has not been any different. Since independence, politicians have explicitly showed inclination to religious factions directly or indirectly as a way to capture and keep power. Napoleon Bonaparte was once quoted saying, “Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet”. However, […]
By James Kabengwa Kampala, Uganda. As Kawempe North parliamentary by-election descended into chaos, Thursday, the arrests of two opposition lawmakers and multiple journalists—paired with a shocking military crackdown—have laid bare the escalating dangers faced by media workers. The decision by Nation Media Group Uganda to withdraw Daily Monitor and NTV Uganda journalists from covering the polls, citing targeted attacks by soldiers and plainclothes agents, underscores a grim reality: journalism has become a life-threatening act of defiance. Daniel Kalinaki, the Nation Media group’s General Manager, framed the withdrawal as a reluctant survival tactic in a message posted on X. “Our teams are being hunted, their equipment destroyed, and their lives endangered simply for documenting the truth,” he said. This retreat marks an ugly situation revealing how far the state will go to silence scrutiny during pivotal political moments. The Kawempe North […]
Wine further criticized Judge Singiza for his handling of previous cases, including one prior to the exile of writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija and his disapproval of corruption charges against Members of Parliament accused of misusing public funds.
NAKASONGOLA. The police and army on Friday thwarted a planned rally by National Unity Platform (NUP) president, Robert Kyagulanyi in Nakasongola. The rally was part of Kyagulanyi's ongoing nationwide mobilisation campaign. Kyagulanyi was scheduled to address supporters at Migyera town market grounds, but the event was blocked by security forces led by Nakasongola district police commander (DPC) Stephen Niragire. Faridah Nabatanzi, NUP’s head of mobilisation for Buganda, had arrived earlier in the day to set up a public address system when security personnel intervened, ordering her advance team to vacate the grounds. Nabatanzi expressed frustration, noting that NUP had complied with all police conditions, including avoiding processions and stopovers along the Kampala-Gulu highway. Despite this, the police dismantled their equipment and dispersed journalists, cutting short Nabatanzi’s media address. At Wabigalo trading centre, security forces erected barriers to prevent Kyagulanyi and […]
BY URN KAMPALA. The East African Court of Justice (EACJ) has asked activist groups to file a written submission in an appeal seeking to overturn a ruling that sought to block the construction of the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project. The regional court sitting in Arusha in November 2023 threw out a case in which activists including the African Centre for Energy Governance (AFIEGO) had filed against the pipeline project that is running between Uganda and Tanzania. The court then ruled that it had no jurisdiction to hear the case by AFIEGO and others because it was filed too late or out of time. But AFEIGO, Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT)-Uganda, Natural Justice (NJ)-Kenya, and Centre for Strategic Litigation (CSL)-Tanzania, appealed against the ruling in a case they had filed in November 2020. On Tuesday, The […]
