For Saying She Isn’t Scared Of Gen Muhoozi Like Most Gov’t Officials, Activist Aloikin Opoloje To Get Punished

Human rights activist and lawyer Praise Aloikin Opoloje is in police custody and is expected to face charges related to the alleged misuse of social media platforms, according to the Uganda Police Force.

Police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke confirmed that Opoloje had been arrested and said she was being investigated over allegations of using her social media platforms to attack other people. He said she would be charged under laws governing social media use, although he did not disclose the police station where she was being held.

Agora Discourse, a civic organisation associated with Opoloje, said she was being held at Central Police Station (CPS) in Kampala. The organisation said she was facing a charge of broadcasting without a licence under Section 28(1) and (2) of the Uganda Communications Act.

Her detention came shortly after she recorded and widely shared a video in which she criticised Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces. The circumstances surrounding her arrest have raised concern among her colleagues and friends, especially because she had initially been summoned to Namungoona Police Station over a complaint involving a carpet.

Raus Ninsima, a friend who followed up on the matter, said the events surrounding Opoloje’s arrest appeared unusual. According to Ninsima, Opoloje was taken from Namungoona Police Station on Saturday evening by people she believed were security operatives, although the circumstances of the transfer remain disputed.

Toko, a senior member of Agora Discourse, said the organisation later established that Opoloje had been taken to CPS rather than Entebbe Police Station, where they had initially been told she would be held. He further claimed that Opoloje told him she had been threatened and assaulted while being transported, including warnings that she could be seriously harmed.

The allegations of assault and threats have not been independently verified. Police, however, have acknowledged that Opoloje is in custody and said she will face charges over alleged misuse of social media. Rusoke maintained that people who use social media platforms are expected to comply with the law. Agora Discourse says it expects Opoloje to be.To Continue Reading, Tap Herel