Rights Lawyer Opiyo Demands Court Drop Charges Against Parliamentary Exhibition Protesters

Human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo has called on courts to drop all charges against activists arrested during the 2024 parliamentary exhibition protests that exposed alleged corruption and financial mismanagement within Parliament.

The exhibition, spearheaded by journalist and academic Jimmy Spire Ssentongo alongside activist Agather Atuhaire, highlighted allegations of corruption, nepotism and lavish expenditure within the 11th Parliament.

The campaign led to the arrest of several activists, many of whom remain on court bail.

Among the issues raised during the protests were controversial service awards reportedly amounting to Shs1.7 billion that were allegedly shared among Parliamentary Commissioners, including Mathias Mpuuga, Esther Afoyochan, Solomon Silwany and Prossy Mbabazi Akampurira, with each reportedly receiving about Shs400 million.

In a statement posted on his X platform, Opiyo said the activists who participated in the parliamentary exhibition should not face criminal prosecution.

His remarks come amid intensified investigations into corruption-related allegations involving Bukedea District Woman MP and former Speaker of Parliament Anita Among.

Security operatives have reportedly conducted searches at properties linked to Among following ongoing investigations.

The former Speaker has since withdrawn from the race for Speaker of the 12th Parliament, citing party unity within the ruling National Resistance Movement.

Opiyo argued that the activists who participated in the parliamentary exhibition had raised legitimate concerns about accountability and governance.

“But if we are indeed serious, these young people should be applauded, not condemned, as they have been, as agents of foreigners,” Opiyo said.

Some of the activists arrested during the 2024 protests and who are still reporting on court bail include Anderson Bulolo, Moses Bigirwa, Habib Buwembo, Sylvia Namutabya, John Bosco Sserunkuma, Maria Natasha, David Musiri, comedian Obedience Lubega, Faiz Fans, Bernard Ewalu Olupot, George Victor Othieno and Kennedy Ndyamuhaki.