Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kampala has remanded three anti-corruption activists to Luzira prison following their arrest for staging a nude protest at Parliament.
The protestors, Norah Kobusingye, Praise Aloikin Opoloje, and Kemitoma Kyenzibo, were arrested after they painted their bodies in Uganda’s national colors—red, black, and yellow—and carried placards calling for the resignation of Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, over corruption allegations.
The trio appeared before Chief Magistrate Ronald Kayiizi and was charged with being a common nuisance under Section 148(1) of the Penal Code Act. Although they pleaded not guilty, they were remanded after failing to present substantial sureties for bail.
The chief magistrate declined the protestors’ lawyer, Paul Wasswa’s, request to adjourn the case to the following day to allow him time to prepare sureties for his clients.
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“It is late and I have been the only judicial officer who has worked today at Buganda Road Court because others have gone for a two-day training. It is not possible for me to have the matter adjourned to tomorrow,” said Mr Kayiizi.
The prosecution claims that the women’s half-naked demonstration on Parliamentary Avenue caused public disturbance and inconvenience.
They have been remanded to Luzira prison, with a bail hearing set for September 12, 2024.
This protest follows a similar demonstration on March 23, 2024, which led to over 100 arrests.
