Human Rights

Uganda Police are on a manhunt for Hamza Kisembo, a youthful individual wanted for allegedly promoting and assisting homosexuality in a case registered at Kyebando Police Post. Kisembo, who was arrested on September 1, 2023, was granted police bail three days later on September 4, with the condition to report …

Ghana’s parliament has passed a tough new bill that imposes a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone convicted of identifying as LGBTQ+. It also imposes a maximum five-year jail term for forming or funding LGBTQ+ groups. Lawmakers heckled down attempts to replace prison sentences with community service …

Lawyers of the jailed veteran opposition politician, Dr Kizza Besigye have raised an alarm over the health of their client. They said on Wednesday that Besigye’s health is deteriorating after paying him a visit at Luzira maximum security where he has been incarcerated since November, 2024. Kampala Lord Mayor Erias …

Abubaker Mukasa Muyunga, commonly known as Abu Mukasa, has come under scrutiny for his alleged involvement in silencing critical journalistic voices in Uganda. The crackdown on media freedom began in June 2024 with the arrest and imprisonment of Grape Vine online journalists Alirabaki Sengooba and Dickson Mubiru. The duo was detained after …

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo, has issued a circular to all prosecutors with guidance on implementing the Supreme Court’s judgment that prohibits the trial of civilians in military courts. According to Circular No. 1/2025, the Supreme Court’s ruling, delivered on January 31, 2025, mandates that all …

On Tuesday, an aide from Besigye’s political movement, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), told the BBC: “We believe he is protesting because he should not still be in prison – he should be home.” The detention sparked widespread condemnation and fears of a clandestine exchange of intelligence between the two …

Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Nicholas Kristof today took aim at President Trump’s freeze of U.S. foreign aid, which has been enthusiastically abetted by multi-billionaire Elon Musk. In Kristof’s column today, he wrote that “to anyone with a heart, it’s about children’s lives and our own security, and what’s unfolding is sickening.” …

Pamela Adie, a renowned Nigerian activist, filmmaker, and director, announced the film on X (formerly Twitter), calling the sequel “magic.” The film is currently in production and is set for release in 2025. Poster for Ìfé – The Sequel. (Courtesy Pamela Adie via X) Unlike the typical Nollywood portrayal of same-sex …

Winnie Byanyima, the wife of Dr. Kizza Besigye, has petitioned the High Criminal Division of the High Court, seeking the immediate and unconditional release of her husband and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutaale. In the application filed on Wednesday, Byanyima is seeking orders requiring the Attorney General and the Commissioner of …

Uganda’s political landscape has been marred by widespread repression, unlawful detentions, and blatant human rights violations. The recent efforts by the National Unity Platform (NUP) to secure the release of political prisoners—civilians who were unlawfully tried in military courts—are commendable. This situation highlights the deeply entrenched autocratic rule that continues …