By Andrew Irumba
Prominent human rights lawyer and activist Agather Atuhaire, along with several other advocates, has been arrested and is being held at Kampala Central Police Station.
The group was detained while attempting to march to the Supreme Court to demand action on a delayed ruling concerning the jurisdiction of military courts over civilians.
Reports suggest the activists aimed to peacefully highlight concerns about the judiciary’s prolonged delay, which has far-reaching implications for Uganda’s justice system.
The case has sparked widespread debate, with critics arguing that subjecting civilians to military courts violates constitutional protections and undermines human rights.
Atuhaire, renowned for her bold stance against injustices, has consistently criticized the use of military courts to try civilians, labeling it a breach of fundamental freedoms.
The delayed ruling has caused frustration, as its outcome could determine whether such practices comply with Uganda’s constitutional framework.
Witnesses described the arrests as forceful but non-violent. Police defended their actions, citing the march as unauthorized and potentially disruptive to public order.
Nonetheless, critics view the arrests as an attempt to stifle civic activism and silence demands for accountability.
Civil society groups, legal practitioners, and human rights organizations have condemned the arrests, describing them as a violation of the activists’ rights to peaceful assembly and free expression.
