Prominent human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo has officially stepped down as the Executive Director of Chapter Four Uganda, the organization he founded and led for years. His departure marks a significant transition for one of Uganda’s most vocal human rights advocacy groups.
Opiyo will be succeeded by Anthony Masake, a long-time member of the Chapter Four team, ensuring continuity in the organization’s mission to promote justice, rule of law, and civil liberties.
The announcement was made by Chapter Four’s Board Chairperson, Zahara Nampewo, on February 7, 2025. She praised Opiyo for his dedication and leadership, which she said had shaped Chapter Four into a leading institution in Uganda’s human rights landscape.
“His vision and commitment have left a lasting impact on legal advocacy and human rights in Uganda,” Nampewo stated.
Beyond his work at Chapter Four, Opiyo has played a vital role in both national and international human rights efforts. He previously served as an expert advisor to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Peaceful Assembly and Association. Additionally, he has been a visiting scholar at Stanford University’s Centre for African Studies and the University of San Francisco’s Global Health Program.
His influence extends to leadership roles in several human rights organizations, including serving as Board Chair of ActionAid Uganda and as a member of the Human Rights Advisory Board for BENETECH, a technology-focused human rights organization based in Silicon Valley.
Opiyo’s passion for defending civil liberties is rooted in personal experience. Growing up in war-torn northern Uganda during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) conflict, he witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of violence. His family was directly affected, with his sister among those abducted by rebels a harrowing ordeal that lasted eight years before she managed to escape.
A trained lawyer, Opiyo earned his Bachelor of Laws degree from Uganda Christian University in 2004 and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Law Development Centre in 2005. His work has earned him multiple accolades, including the Human Rights Tulip Award in 2021 and the German Africa Prize in 2017.
In his farewell message, Opiyo expressed gratitude to his colleagues, the legal community, and the organization’s development partners. He reassured them that his work in human rights advocacy is far from over.
“Since the inception of Chapter Four, I have dedicated myself to defending fundamental human rights without discrimination. That mission continues, albeit from a new platform, which I will reveal soon,” Opiyo stated.
As he steps away from his leadership role, all eyes are now on Anthony Masake, who takes the helm at Chapter Four Uganda. His tenure will be closely watched as he steers the organization into its next phase in the ongoing fight for justice and human rights.
