Chapter Four Uganda

Chapter Four statement on indefinite suspension of the organization’s NGO permit. “We consider this suspension unjustified and are pursuing all available administrative and legal measures to restore our operational status as soon as possible.” For more: chapterfouruganda.org/statement-on-t…

Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force (JAT) officers brutalize @bbstvug Journalist, Ivan Mbadi, during @HEBobiwine’s campaigns in Kween district. His camera was destroyed during the attack. We strongly condemn rising incidents of attacks on journalists for covering acts of brutality by security forces ahead of the polls. Journalism is not a crime. We call on the @PoliceUg to ensure safety of journalists and other media workers. Responsible authorities, including the @UHRC_UGANDA and the @ODPPUGANDA should inquire into these documented crimes to bring perpetrators to account. #PressFreedom | #Uganda

We’re deeply concerned by the arrest of human rights advocate @SarahBireete, the executive director of @ccgea1. As we continue to make inquiries on the situation, we urge the @PoliceUg to promptly disclose the nature of the alleged offence, place of detention, and ensure that her next-of-kin, lawyers and if necessary—personal doctor—are granted immediate reasonable access to see her. We further call on the police to respect her right to privacy and ensure that no unlawful entry or search are carried out. #FreeSarahBireete | #Uganda

As we get close to the end of another year of collective efforts towards a fairer and more just society, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has stood with us in defending human rights, justice, and dignity in Uganda. This season, we celebrate the courage of all who continue to speak truth to power, protect the vulnerable, and work toward a freer, fairer, and more just society. Your resilience and solidarity have been our greatest strength. May the holidays bring you rest, peace, and renewed resolve for the year ahead. Happy Holidays! ✨

Calling the entire trial a nullity before evidence is tested is legal grandstanding, not due process. Alleged procedural violations are remedial issues for court to determine, not automatic acquittals especially in a serious AML case involving UGX 500m. Enforced disappearance claims and detention timelines can be litigated without pre emptively sanitizing the charge itself. Rule of law means both rights protection and accountability, not choosing one to kill the other.

The trial of Fr Deusdedit Ssekabira is a nullity. We urge the @ODPPUGANDA and the trial magistrate in Masaka to follow the law to declare the trial a nullity and proceed to acquit him unconditionally. After he was disappeared on 3 December 2025, the UPDF acknowledged holding him in 14 December 2025—and continued to hold him in a place not authorized by law beyond 48 hours. This was a violation of a spectrum of his constitutional and procedural rights while in detention. Apart from being an affront to non-derogable rights guaranteed under the 1995 Constitution and the Human Rights (Enforcement) Act, entertaining such trials that are entrenched in illegalities emboldens impunity for enforced disappearances, torture, unfair trials, and disregard for the rule of law. #Uganda | #FairTrials

Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act, Cap. 96 criminalizes sending “unsolicited information” online, punishable by up to seven years in prison. This provision is unconstitutional for being vague, overbroad and repressive. Most communications, including all social media posts, journalistic inquiries and publications, and advocacy messages, are often “unsolicited.” In 2022, working in partnership with 13 other defenders of digital freedoms, we filed Constitutional Petition No. 37 in the Constitutional Court to challenge the offense and other provisions of that law for being inconsistent and in contravention with several Articles of the 1995 Constitution. The hearing was concluded. Judgment is set to be delivered on a date to be fixed by the Court. Human rights standards under the 1995 Constitution and the ICCPR require speech restrictions to be clear, pursue a legitimate aim, and be necessary and proportionate, which this offense fails to meet. The severe penalties and unclear scope create a chilling effect on journalists, activists, and ordinary users, especially when speaking about public officials. By making “unsolicited” communication the default offense and “public interest” a narrow and discretionary exception, the law undermines the rights to both impart and receive information and weakens democratic debate in Uganda. We hope the Constitutional Court will deliver its judgment soon to end enforcement of such unconstitutional provisions.

The abduction and continued incommunicado detention of Rev. Fr. Deusdedit Ssekabira of Masaka Diocese is a clear violation of Uganda’s constitutional and legal safeguards on arrest and detention, Chapter Four Uganda said today. See our statement for more. chapterfouruganda.org/statement-on-a…

“We continue to see individuals incarcerated for offences such as ‘common nuisance’ or detained for civil debts—situations that do not warrant deprivation of liberty,” @ByansiHenry noted. See article for details. @WakisoHuman @kasiryeElly #Uganda chapterfouruganda.org/calls-to-addre…

@NLinUganda @FrederiekeQ @Annalomonyang12 @FIDA_Uganda @DefendDefenders @UHRC_UGANDA Congratulations Anna on winning the Award. Your unwavering dedication to justice and equality in the community is inspiring. Well deserved. Keep making a difference! 🎉

Yesterday Ambassador @FrederiekeQ was honoured to award Ms. @Annalomonyang12 the Embassy Human Rights Tulip Award 2025🌷The handing over of the award coincides with International Human Rights Defenders Day 2025. 👉Read more about Anna's work: linkedin.com/feed/update/ur…

The systematic erosion of fundamental ideals of dignity and freedom in Uganda through state-sponsored violence, brutality, arbitrary arrests, and a declining state of rule of law is deeply worrying. See our statement on #HumanRightsDay for more details. chapterfouruganda.org/human-rights-d…

The 1995 Constitution was meant to be Uganda’s anchor, a secular safeguard for every citizen, regardless of faith, identity, or background. Reading this piece on the rise of an “Americo-Ugandan Christian Taliban” by @bkabumba is a sobering reminder of how foreign-driven fundamentalism can distort our courts, our politics, and our social fabric. As someone working daily with communities most affected by exclusion, I’ve seen how moral panic replaces fact, and how imported ideologies become tools to police, punish, and silence Ugandans. Reclaiming constitutionalism is not just legal work, it’s our collective duty to ensure dignity, equality, and freedom remain at the centre of our nation’s future. #HumanRights #JusticeForAll #Uganda observer.ug/viewpoint/the-…

Today, we solemnly remember the tragic events of November 26, 2016 in Kasese, where government security forces attacked the Rwenzururu Royal Palace, killing at least eight people. The killings prompted clashes between the police and community members, resulting in the killing of at least 14 police officers and 32 civilians. The next day, on November 27, 2016, Uganda’s army raided the palace, killing over 150 civilians, including children. The massacre remains one of the darkest chapters in Uganda’s recent history. We remember the lives lost and continue to call for impartial investigations and actions to bring perpetrators to account. The government should further provide reparations to the victims and their families and take action to end extrajudicial killings. #LestWeForget | #KaseseKillings

It starts with one message... And then becomes a flood of online abuse 🤬 During the #16Days of Activism, join us in calling for safety, accountability, and justice online. Learn more and take action #ForAllWomenAndGirls: unwomen.org/en/get-involve… #ACTToEndViolence

Congratulations @AloikinOpoloje. Your dedication and purpose are powerful. Fee may scorn you, but they know they can't match your ambition, your resolve, and clarity of thought. History will absolve you. Keep your eyes on the crystal ball, my sister. martinennalsaward.org/2025-edition/

It was very inspiring to hear about @chapterfourug 's work and the extraordinary support they provide to civil society and for the protection of the right to freedom of assembly in #Uganda

Joint Statement: Chapter Four Uganda and the @Kacsoa_ condemn the cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment of over 300 displaced residents from Bukwo and Kween Districts at the Kabelyo Holding Camp by @ugwildlife rangers, call for accountability. #HumanDignity | #Uganda chapterfouruganda.org/joint-statemen…

Earlier today, our Executive Director, @masakeonline, welcomed @Ginitastar—the UN Special Rapporteur on the freedom of peaceful assembly and of association—at our offices for a courtesy call. During the meeting, we discussed our work, the challenges, and opportunities to advance the freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in Uganda. We also explored potential areas of collaboration between Chapter Four and the UNSR to strengthen protections for civil society and peaceful assemblies. Thank you, Gina, for the visit.