After three weeks in custody at Luzira Prison in Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura and four fellow activists have been granted bail by Buganda Road Court.
Their arrest on charges of public nuisance during a protest demanding the release of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye sparked national outrage with many viewing their detention as a deliberate attack on political activism and free speech in Uganda.
The opposition figures including activist Ingrid Turinawe, Phiona Kyabayiza, Faridah Nangonzi, and Shadia Namubiru were arrested in Kampala while demonstrating against the continued detention of Besigye.
Their demand for justice however, landed them behind bars fueling concerns over Uganda’s increasingly repressive political climate.
Presiding magistrate Winnie Nankya granted them non-cash bail of Shs500,000 each with sureties required to post a non-cash bond of Shs1 million.
The courtroom packed with opposition supporters and human rights activists erupted into cheers when the ruling was delivered.
However, prosecution led by Allan Mucunguzi objected to the bail arguing that the accused’s sureties were not qualified to ensure that the freed will return to court.
This remark provoked outrage from defense lawyers who successfully argued that the sureties were credible and that denying bail on such grounds would be a violation of justice.
Even behind bars, the accused maintained their defiance. Their bail hearing was initially delayed last week after they reportedly refused to leave their cells without their activism T-shirts which bore messages in support of Dr. Besigye.
This act of silent protest underscored their unwavering commitment to the cause despite government efforts to silence them.
Upon their release, Nyanjura delivered a fiery statement outside the court: “They wanted to break us, but we are stronger than ever. The fight for justice continues!” Her words electrified the crowd which responded with political chants and celebratory songs.
The case has reignited debates over Uganda’s shrinking democratic space with human rights organizations condemning what they describe as an escalating crackdown on protests.
As Uganda edges closer to the 2026 general elections, opposition voices are facing increasing repression with arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions becoming alarmingly common.
Nyanjura and her co-accused are expected back in court on April 23, but their release marks more than just legal freedom, it is a powerful statement against the forces that seek to silence opposition and crush activism in Uganda.
