KAMPALA – Winnie Byanyima, the Oxfam International Executive Director, has lashed out at President Yoweri Museveni for trying to imprison researcher cum activists Dr Stella Nyanzi.
Dr Nyanzi was arrested last week on Friday and she is currently facing cyber harassment and offensive communication at Buganda Road Court.
The State contends that on September 16 and 19, 2018, Dr Nyanzi posted on her Facebook page suggestions deemed obscene against the President’s deceased mother Esteri Kokundeka.
It is stated that she also repeatedly posted messages to disturb or attempted to disturb the peace, quiet or right to privacy of the President.
Now Byanyima has advised the president to block Nyanzi if he finds her posts offensive.
“The rest of us press ‘block’ when we are offended. Why doesn’t (Museveni) try the same? It’s excessive to lock up someone for an offensive post,” Byanyima tweeted on Saturday morning.
“If everyone who insults another person was jailed, how many Ugandans would be out working? How many prisons would we need? What Stella writes on SM may be offensive, vulgar, shocking, irritating to you. Press ‘Block’. #FreedomOfExpression,” she also posted.
If everyone who insults another person was jailed, how many Ugandans would be out working? How many prisons would we need? What Stella writes on SM may be offensive, vulgar, shocking, irritating to you. Press ‘Block’. #FreedomOfExpression https://t.co/A6QK2C9MwM
— Winnie Byanyima (@Winnie_Byanyima) November 10, 2018
This had come a day after Dr Nyanzi asked Buganda Road Court to summon President Museveni over allegations that she harassed him by insulting his late mother on her Facebook page.
Dr Nyanzi, on Friday told court that Mr Museveni should appear in court and explain how he was offended by her Facebook posts.
“Police should complete investigations in the shortest time possible and also bring President Museveni to face court and explain how he was offended by my posts,” she said in court
This was after the state brought an amended charge sheet to the court presided over by Gladys Kamasanyu.
Dr Nyanzi denied the charges. She did not ask for bail as was hoped and was further remanded to Luzira Prison until November 22 when she will appear in court for further mention.