Kampala, Uganda – A group of anonymous youth protesters staged a bold and unnerving demonstration this morning outside Buganda Road Court, planting life-sized mannequins along the sidewalk to demand the immediate release of Dr. Kizza Besigye and other political prisoners.
The protest, held in the heart of Uganda’s capital unfolded at dawn, capturing the attention of early commuters, passersby and security personnel with placards reading “Free Political Prisoners,” “Justice for Besigye,” and “Democracy Now,” alongside a looping megaphone chant: “Free political prisoners!”
This wasn’t your typical street demonstration. The mannequins, each dressed in everyday clothing and staged with chilling precision, delivered a visual protest that was both haunting and unforgettable.
According to eyewitnesses, the row of silent figures resembled a silent tribunal, confronting Uganda’s judiciary and security systems without uttering a word.
Organized by an underground network of youth activists, the demonstration was a calculated response to the continued detention of Dr. Kizza Besigye, Uganda’s longtime opposition leader who is currently being held on treason charges.
Activists say the mannequin method was not only creative but essential to avoid the quick and often violent crackdown faced by physical protestors in Uganda.
“The mannequins can’t be beaten. They can’t be tear-gassed. But their message is louder than our voices.”
The protest’s location, the Buganda Road Court was no accident. This court has become notorious for trying high-profile political protesters under charges many views as politically motivated. By placing the protest directly in front of the judiciary’s doorstep, the activists sent a message: justice is watching, and the youth are no longer silent.
Within minutes, Ugandan security forces arrived at the scene. The mannequins were quickly removed and the small crowd of onlookers dispersed.
Unlike previous protests, no arrests or confrontations were reported, largely because no human protestors remained at the scene when the operation began.
But for those who passed by, the sight was unforgettable. Some took photos. Others whispered. Many stood in reflective silence, reading each placard before walking away.
This protest adds to a growing wave of creative youth-led resistance against what many see as shrinking democratic space in Uganda.
With the 2026 general elections looming, tensions between opposition supporters and state authorities continue to mount.
Dr. Kizza Besigye who has run for president four times and faced numerous arrests remains a symbol of defiance, especially for Uganda’s younger generation who have grown up under the same administration.
The mannequin protest marks a new era of street activism in Uganda; one where the risk of arrest is bypassed with symbolism and the message can’t be handcuffed. It’s a chilling reminder of what’s at stake in the country’s political arena and how far the youth are willing to go to be heard.
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