Court Clears Nude Anti-Corruption Protesters in Kampala
A Ugandan court has dismissed charges against three young activists who staged a semi-nude protest against corruption outside Parliament last year. The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court ruled on Thursday that the case could not proceed due to lack of prosecution.
The accused—Norah Kobusingye, Praise Aloikin Opoloje, and Kemitoma Kyenzibo—were arrested on September 2, 2024, after marching topless with anti-corruption messages written on their bodies along Parliamentary Avenue. They were charged with common nuisance under Section 148(1) of the Penal Code Act for allegedly causing public annoyance.
However, the prosecution failed to provide evidence, prompting the court to dismiss the case.
Human rights group Chapter Four Uganda, which represented the trio, welcomed the ruling but condemned the use of criminal charges to silence peaceful demonstrations. The organization criticized law enforcement for what it described as a pattern of arbitrary arrests meant to discourage civic activism.
“The protest was a peaceful expression of discontent over corruption. While we are relieved by the court’s ruling, the emotional distress and rights violations these young people faced cannot be ignored,” Chapter Four said in a statement.
The case has reignited public debate about freedom of expression, the criminalization of dissent, and the need for police and prosecutors to act within constitutional boundaries.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCxN1VNZD90