Uganda’s political landscape has been marked by increasing repression, leading several prominent activists to seek refuge abroad. Their journeys underscore the challenges faced by those who dare to oppose the regime of President Yoweri Museveni.
Migrant Narratives Africa shares collective immigration chronicles of activists; Agather Atuhaire, Kizza Besigye, Stella Nyanzi and Kakwenza Rukirabashaija.
Agather Atuhaire: Detained and Tortured in Tanzania
Agather Atuhaire, a Ugandan journalist and human rights activist, was detained in Tanzania while observing the trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu. She and Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi were accused of interfering in domestic politics and subjected to torture before being released near the Uganda-Tanzania border.
Atuhaire who was arrested and held for days in Tanzania and later found at the border between the two countries said she was raped while in detention.
Expanding on the earlier remarks of her rights group who said she showed “indications of torture”, Agather Atuhaire alleged that people dressed in plain clothes “blindfolded” her, after which she was hit, “violently” stripped and sexually assaulted.
Atuhaire had been held incommunicado in Tanzania alongside fellow Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, who was on Thursday found at the border with his home country.
The Tanzanian authorities have not commented.
Her abduction highlights the increasing suppression of government critics in the region.
Kizza Besigye: Abducted in Kenya, Tried in Military Court
Dr. Kizza Besigye, a former presidential candidate and staunch critic of President Museveni, was abducted from Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024. He was forcibly returned to Uganda and arraigned in a military court, despite a Supreme Court ruling deeming such trials unconstitutional for civilians. His continued detention and the lack of legal recourse have drawn international condemnation.
Stella Nyanzi: Seeking Asylum in Kenya and her Germany Chronicles
Dr. Stella Nyanzi, an academic and political activist, fled Uganda to Kenya in early 2025, citing political persecution. She crossed the border discreetly to avoid detection and is currently seeking political asylum. Her move underscores the escalating risks faced by opposition figures in Uganda.
In May 2025, Ugandan activist Stella Nyanzi faced a perplexing and distressing situation at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Despite holding refugee status in Germany, she was denied boarding on a flight to Munich by a representative of the German Embassy, who insisted she apply for a visa. This incident has raised questions about the treatment of asylum holders and the complexities of international travel for refugees.
Nyanzi, who has been residing in Munich with her three children since 2022 under the PEN Germany Writers-in-Exile program, was scheduled to return to Germany after a brief visit to Nairobi. Upon attempting to board her flight, she was informed by the embassy official that she needed to apply for a visa, despite her established refugee status. This led to her being stranded in Nairobi for several days. She expressed her frustration on social media, stating, “I am entering Germany as a Ugandan refugee protected by the Germans. Thanks to the German embassy in Nairobi for making this happen.”
The German embassy in Nairobi has not publicly commented on the incident, leaving many questions unanswered. This situation highlights the challenges faced by refugees in navigating bureaucratic systems and the potential for miscommunication between diplomatic missions and asylum holders.
Nyanzi’s experience is not an isolated case. In the past, she has faced travel restrictions and threats of deportation, including being placed on a “no-fly list” by Ugandan authorities, which prevented her from attending an academic conference in the Netherlands . These actions have been part of a broader pattern of harassment and intimidation against her due to her outspoken criticism of the Ugandan government.
The denial of boarding in Nairobi underscores the vulnerabilities that refugees and asylum seekers face, even after being granted protection by another country. It also raises concerns about the responsibilities of diplomatic missions to uphold the rights and statuses of individuals under their protection.
As of May 28, 2025, Nyanzi has been allowed to return to Germany, but the incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges that refugees encounter in their pursuit of safety and stability.
This case calls for greater accountability and transparency in the treatment of refugees by diplomatic missions and highlights the need for improved systems to support and protect individuals who have fled persecution.
Kakwenza Rukirabashaija: Tortured and Exiled for Satire
Author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija faced brutal torture after publishing satirical works critical of President Museveni. His writings led to his detention and subsequent exile to Germany, where he reunited with his family after a prolonged struggle. His experiences serve as a stark reminder of the regime’s intolerance for dissent.
Conclusion:
The stories of Atuhaire, Besigye, Nyanzi, and Rukirabashaija reflect a broader pattern of transnational repression in East Africa. Their experiences highlight the urgent need for international attention and intervention to protect human rights defenders and uphold democratic principles in the region.
SOURCES
Assistive reporting- courtesy of Reuters, Amnesty International, Al Jazeera, Watchdog Uganda, Matooke Republic, AP and the Guardian.
