Nyanjura, Ingrid Turinawe among 5 charged over 'Free Besigye' protest in Kampala
Activists including Kampala Deputy Mayor Doreen Nyanjura (L) and Ingrid Turinawe (2nd R) appear in the dock at Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court on February 18, 2025. PHOTO/ABUBAKER LUBOWA
What you need to know:
- The group, who wore blue and white t-shirts with the slogan “Kill Me, Spare Besigye,” were arrested on February 17 during “Free Besigye and All Political Prisoners” protests in Kampala.
Five individuals were charged and remanded to prison on Tuesday for their involvement in protests demanding the release of opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye, who remains detained at Luzira Maximum Security Prison.
The accused — Doreen Nyanjura, 35, Deputy Lord Mayor of Kampala, Phionah Kabayiza, 37, a businesswoman, Farida Nangozi, 38, a self-employed individual, and Ingrid Turinawe, along with Shadia Namubiru, 27, a businesswoman — appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court, where they were charged with public nuisance under Section 65 (e) of the Road Act, Cap 346. They denied the charges.
The group, who -in court- wore blue and white t-shirts with the slogan “Kill Me, Spare Besigye,” were arrested on February 17 during “Free Besigye and All Political Prisoners” protests on Ben Kiwanuka Street in central Kampala, where they blocked traffic in protest of his continued detention.
Prosecutor Allan Mucunguzi requested more time to verify the documents submitted by the defendants’ lawyers and to confirm their sureties. The court adjourned the case, remanding the accused until February 25, 2025.
RELATED STORIES: Museveni speaks out on Besigye's continued detention
Lawyers for the accused had applied for bail, arguing that the charges were bailable with substantial sureties. However, the court ordered that the verification of the documents and sureties be completed before bail could be granted.
Dr Besigye, a prominent opposition leader, was briefly hospitalized on Sunday evening after medical consultations with prison authorities, though he was later returned to detention.
The group’s arrests occurred at Arua Park, Kampala, where they were protesting the alleged mistreatment of Dr Besigye and demanding his immediate release.
In related news, the High Court has scheduled a hearing for February 25 regarding an appeal filed by Dr Besigye’s lawyer, Eron Kiiza.
Kiiza, who was sentenced to nine months in prison for contempt of court by the General Court Martial (GCM), is challenging the legality of his conviction and sentence.
Kiiza’s appeal includes claims that he was not formally charged before his conviction, that his right to a fair hearing was violated, and that the sentence was excessive.
The court is also set to hear an application from Dr Besigye and his political aide Obeid Lutale, challenging their continued detention despite the January 31 Supreme Court ruling that civilians should not be tried in military courts.
The legal proceedings come amid rising public pressure, with politicians and Besigye’s family accusing the government of illegally detaining him and putting his health at risk.
