Pathy Mbabazi the National Unity Platform (NUP) registrar for Ishaka-Bushenyi has been today granted bail following her controversial arrest on March 3, 2025.
Mbabazi was detained on charges related to her outspoken criticism of President Museveni’s spending on the Parish Development Model (PDM) tours, a program she allegedly described as a wasteful political venture.
The Bushenyi Chief Magistrate’s Court released her on a UGX 100,000 cash bail in a ruling that has sparked renewed debate over the government’s alleged suppression on opposition voices.
Mbabazi, 28, was brutally arrested by police in Ishaka Division for allegedly violating Section 26 (1) C of the Computer Misuse Act by spreading hate speech against Museveni and his son Muhoozi.
According to NUP officials, her comments were centered on government excesses, particularly its lavish nationwide tours under the Parish Development Model (PDM) initiative which she questioned as a misuse of taxpayers’ money.
Her detention triggered a wave of condemnation from opposition leaders who accused the government of using the courts to suppress free speech.
In today’s court session, Mbabazi’s legal team, led by Tumukunde Joshua secured her temporary freedom.
NUP praised their lawyers for their efforts but also condemned the judiciary for being used as a political tool to intimidate dissenters.
“We are grateful for her release, but we remain outraged by the way the state continues to weaponize the judiciary to silence critics,” NUP said in a statement.
Mbabazi’s arrest follows a growing trend in Uganda where opposition figures, activists and journalists are arbitrarily detained under vague cyber laws.
The Computer Misuse Act originally meant to regulate cybercrimes has increasingly been used to target individuals who challenge the government.
Opposition argue that the law is not being applied to everyone equally while opposition figures are arrested for political statements, pro-government figures face no consequences for similar or worse remarks.
Though Mbabazi has been freed for now, her case is far from over. She still faces criminal charges.
