The Mwanga 2 Magistrates Court in Mengo has charged Claire Namara, the former Vice Guild President of Kyambogo University, with disturbing religious assemblies. Namara, 25, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Amon Mugezi and denied the charges.
The court heard that on July 28th, at Lubaga Cathedral Church in Rubaga Division, Kampala District, Namara caused a disturbance during a religious ceremony. Namara pleaded not guilty and was granted bail, set at sh500,000. Her troubles began when she made a one-person demonstration at Lubaga Cathedral, holding a placard condemning alleged corruption by the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among.
The placard stated, “Magogo’s Birthday Car would Pad One million Young Girls for a Year,” referencing the luxurious Range Rover Among gifted her husband, Magogo. Namara’s protest was part of a larger movement of over 100 people charged in connection to anti-corruption demonstrations.
Among has dismissed calls for her resignation, claiming that the protests are backed by foreign agents opposed to the Anti-Homosexuality Law passed by Parliament.
Bail Granted to Other Anti-Corruption Protesters
In related news, the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has granted bail to several other anti-corruption protesters, including former Makerere University Guild President Maseruka Robert and intern doctor Ssagala Abdul Rahman Kabanda.
They, along with other accused persons, were charged with being a common nuisance following a protest on July 23rd, 2024, where they allegedly obstructed public walkways and made an unauthorized procession carrying placards.
The protesters, represented by Uganda Law Society President Bernard Oundo and NUP lawyers George Musisi and Benjamin Katana, denied the charges and applied for bail.
The court set bail at 100,000 shillings each, with sureties signing non-cash bonds of 500,000 shillings for Maseruka and 300,000 shillings for the other protesters. The accused are required to report back to court on August 29th, 2024, for trial.
