KAMPALA, Uganda — Eight opposition activists, including Kira Municipality Member of Parliament Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda and opposition mobilizer Ingrid Turinawe, were charged Monday with participating in an unauthorized street protest.
The activists, who appeared before Grade One Magistrate Dan Mwesiga, denied the charges and were granted bail. Each of the accused was granted a non-cash bail of 20 million shillings, while their sureties were bonded at 20 million shillings non-cash.
According to the charge sheet, the prosecution alleges that on November 25, 2024, along Ssezibwa Road in Central Division, Kampala District, the accused persons placed themselves in the road in such a manner as to cause danger or inconvenience to traffic.
The prosecution, led by Ivan Kyazze, asked the court for more time to verify the documents presented by the accused for bail. The defense, led by Ronald Samuel Wanda, applied for bail on grounds that the accused have fixed places of abode, the offense against them is bailable, and they have substantial sureties.
Magistrate Mwesiga emphasized that the offense is bailable and the accused are still presumed innocent. He also warned that if the presented documents are found to be forged, the prosecution will bring it to the attention of the court for appropriate action.
The arrests of the activists came amid growing tensions between Uganda and Kenya, following the detention of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale in Nairobi on November 16. The two were charged with security-related offenses and illegal possession of firearms.
The protest was reportedly organized to demand the release of detained opposition leaders and to express solidarity with Ugandans being held in Kenya. The activists were arrested while attempting to stage the protest in Kampala.
The government has been criticized for its handling of opposition protests, with many accusing the authorities of using heavy-handed tactics to suppress dissent. The opposition has vowed to continue protesting against the government’s policies, despite the risks of arrest and prosecution.