KAMPALA – In a development that has sparked allegations of persistent political persecution, Olivia Lutaaya, the National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter recently released after nearly four years in prison on disputed charges, has been arrested and charged once again.
According to reports, the former “treachery” suspect now faces charges of “unlawful drilling,” just days after regaining her freedom. This rapid re-arrest follows her highly publicized refusal to denounce NUP and its leader, Bobi Wine as a condition for her previous release.
Lutaaya’s ordeal first began in December 2020 with her arrest in Kalangala. After a complex legal battle where she and dozens of co-accused were allegedly coerced into pleading guilty due to the state’s failure to prosecute, she was finally released in November 2024. Her defiance in rejecting a state-sponsored indoctrination program at Kyankwanzi, where she was expected to renounce her political affiliations, was hailed by opposition supporters as an act of courage.
However, her return to political activity appears to have been short-lived. The new charge of “unlawful drilling” suggests the state is now accusing her of participating in or organizing military-style training, a common accusation leveled against government opponents in Uganda.
Human rights advocates and opposition leaders have condemned the move, labeling it a transparent tactic to silence and re-detain a dissenting voice. “The state’s playbook is now clear for all to see,” stated a source within the opposition. “When they failed to break her spirit with one set of trumped-up charges, they simply invented a new one. The message is that defiance will not be tolerated, and any critic who refuses to be broken will be perpetually harassed by the legal system.”
The case of Olivia Lutaaya is rapidly becoming a central symbol in the narrative of political repression in Uganda. Her repeated arrests reinforce opposition claims that the judiciary is being weaponized to target critics and stifle dissent, raising serious concerns about the rule of law and the space for political opposition in the country.
