The Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has ordered the remand of five women on allegations of being a common nuisance.
Among those remanded are Kampala City Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura, political activist Ingrid Turinawe, Faridah Nangonzi, Shadiya Namubiru, and Phionah Kabayinza.
The women, who were clad in blue and white T-shirts bearing the words “Kill me but spare Besigye,” appeared before Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko. They were charged with participating in an illegal procession, an accusation they denied.
According to the prosecution, the group engaged in a protest on February 17, 2025, along Ben Kiwanuka Street in Kampala. Their demonstration allegedly disrupted traffic and posed a potential risk to road users. The protest was organized to demand the release of opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye.
Authorities apprehended the women near Arua Park in downtown Kampala, after which they were detained at the Central Police Station for a night before being presented in court.
Following their bail application, the magistrate postponed the decision to February 25, 2025, allowing the prosecution time to assess the credentials of their sureties. Their sureties included political allies from Dr. Kizza Besigye’s camp and members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction.
