Her arrest came after she participated in a protest against the imprisonment of Eron Kiiza, a prominent lawyer known for defending opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye.
Kiiza, who is widely recognized for his legal defense of Besigye, was sentenced to nine months in prison by the General Court Martial for contempt of court.
This ruling has sparked strong reactions from activists, politicians, and members of the public, who see it as an attack on freedom of speech and the right to legal representation.
In the days leading up to her arrest, Atuhaire had posted a message on her X handle explaining her reasons for joining the protest.
In her statement, she described her deep concern over the legal environment in Uganda, particularly the role of military courts and their unchecked powers.
She referred to a case known as the Kabaziguruka case, which also involved military courts. This case had raised serious questions about the independence of the judiciary and the fairness of the legal process in the country.
“I have been deeply frustrated that our application to the Judiciary Uganda over the Kabaziguruka decision has continued to be ignored,” Atuhaire said in her post.
“We have raised serious concerns about the unchecked powers of military courts, but no action has been taken.”
The Kabaziguruka case is especially controversial because it involved military courts exercising authority over civilian matters.
This has led many Ugandans to question whether these courts are undermining the country’s judicial independence.
In her post, Atuhaire made it clear that she and other concerned Ugandans had grown tired of waiting for the government to act on their concerns.
Frustrated with the lack of action, Atuhaire, along with others, decided to organize a peaceful march to the Supreme Court. The march aimed to bring attention to the erosion of judicial independence in Uganda and to demand a fairer, more transparent legal system.
“We are setting off now. Anyone willing to join us can come,” Atuhaire wrote, inviting others to join in the protest for justice and fair legal practices.
The march to the Supreme Court was meant to send a clear message to the government and the judiciary that citizens are no longer willing to accept the erosion of their rights and freedoms.
Unfortunately, the protest was met with a swift response from law enforcement. Atuhaire, one of the key organizers of the protest, was arrested and taken to Kampala Central Police Station.
Her arrest has sparked further outrage among her supporters, who see it as another example of the government's crackdown on those who challenge its policies.
Atuhaire’s arrest is part of a broader pattern of arrests and harassment faced by political activists and human rights defenders in Uganda.
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