In a dramatic incident on Thursday , renowned human rights activist and Agora co-founder, Agather Atuhaire, has been arrested alongside seven other activists while marching to the Supreme Court.
Their mission? To protest the controversial trial of civilians in Uganda’s Court Martial.
Atuhaire and her crew, including Godwin Toko, George Victor Otieno, Marion Kirabo, Mubala Akram, Norah Kobusinge, Khatondi Wepuhulu and Aloikin Praise Opoloj were intercepted by authorities before they could make their demands heard.
The activists slammed the judiciary for “turning a blind eye” to blatant human rights abuses. They called out the Supreme Court for sitting on a critical appeal challenging the Court Martial’s jurisdiction over civilians, a case that’s been collecting dust for four years.
According to Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Spokesperson, for now, Atuhaire and her allies are cooling their heels at the Central Police Station on charges of being a common nuisance. He adds that their case files are being prepared for the State Attorney and subsequent court proceedings on the charges.
Their protest comes hot on the heels of the shocking conviction and sentencing and conviction of lawyer Eron Kiiza, for contempt of Court by the chairman of the army court Brig. Gen Freeman Mugabe.
who was defending opposition heavyweight Kizza Besigye and Obed Lutale Kamulegeya. The duo faces serious charges of illegal possession of firearms and alleged conspiracy to disrupt national security.
