Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has rejected a request by satirical novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija who is facing charges of offensive Communication to have his passport returned to him. Court presided over by the Chief Magistrate Dr Douglas Singiza has rejected the request who …
Read More »Opposition MPs walk out of parliament
But do the goons torturing Ugandans and their NRM supporters care? Kampala, Uganda | MUBATSI ASINJA HABATI | Opposition MPs made a bold statement on Feb.03 by marching out of a sitting plenary session of parliament in protest against, what they say, is increasing torture of Ugandans by security agents …
Read More »Bobi Wine and NUP 2022 agenda
Stalled legislative agenda, rifts, and post-election campaigns beg for action Kampala, Uganda | IAN KATUSIIME | On Jan. 11, Bobi Wine, leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), presided over a meeting of his party caucus at Busabala Beach outside the city to draw a roadmap for 2022. Top on …
Read More »Mabirizi petitions East African Court over legality to try Kakwenza
Arusha, Tanzania | THE INDEPENDENT | Lawyer Male Mabirizi has petitioned the East African Court of Justice seeking to declare the trial of satirical Novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija on offensive communication charges a nullity. Kakwenza was on January 11 arraigned without this lawyers before Buganda Road Court Chief Magistrate Dr. Douglas …
Read More »Dictators using social media
Is social media becoming a threat to democracy on the continent? ANALYSIS | THE INDEPENDENT | In early 2021, Facebook (Meta) deactivated more than 20 accounts linked to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. Shortly afterward, Twitter also followed suit, closing 11% of the nearly 3,500 …
Read More »Silencing voices of opposition
Chilling effect of Kakwenza’s arrest Kampala, Uganda | MUBATSI ASINJA HABATI | The arrest of novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija has laid bare what many political observers say are tactics from the playbook of leaders who have clung to power too long, lack legitimacy, and have resorted to using security operatives to …
Read More »Release Novelist Kakwenza now – East Africa Law Society
Nairobi, Kenya | THE INDEPENDENT | The East Africa Law Society (EALS) has added its voice imploring the government to unconditionally release Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, a Ugandan author and rights activist who is being detained reportedly for offensive communication. He is yet to appear in any court. In a press statement …
Read More »Makindye court orders release of Kakwenza
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Makindye Magistrates Court has ordered the unconditional release of Novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija who has been in police custody for a week without trial. The order was issued on Tuesday by the Grade One Magistrate Irene Nambatya following an application by Kakwenza’s lawyers Eron Kiiza, …
Read More »Writer Kakwenza expected to be produced in court today
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT & URN | Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, who was picked up by security late last year, will finally be produced in court today, the Criminal Investigations Department has said. CID Spokesperson Charles Twiine says he will be arraigned in Court today on a charge of offensive communication for …
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