The accelerating exodus of Uganda’s public figures is largely a result of the increasing brutality of the police and military, extreme media censorship and suppression of freedom of expression, arbitrary arrests and targeted violence which have created a climate of fear, hence pushing creatives, outspoken journalists and elites into exile joining a growing diaspora yearning for safety and freedom.

Honorable Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, president of the National Unity Platform party, the main opposition party has endured relentless harassment including banning his public performance. Kyagulanyi’s ordeal has befallen many more artists and celebrities who have publicly come out to show support to his cause.

The situation has escalated since the lead-up to the 2021 elections, with Museveni’s government cracking down ruthlessly on critics. Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, a Journalist, Lawyer and Novelist and Stella Nyanzi a human rights advocate and poet have faced the wrath of the regime due to their open criticism of corruption and authoritarianism.

In April 2020, Kakwenza was arrested and tortured after publishing his debut novel The Greedy Barbarian, which authorities interpreted as a veiled critique of the first family. His subsequent book, Banana Republic, further provoked ire from the regime. When he tweeted criticism of Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni’s son, he was detained again in December 2021 and released with visible torture marks. He fled into exile in Germany by February 2022 Stella Nyanzi was imprisoned in 2017 for satirically insulting the president. Facing escalating threats, she fled to Kenya in early 2021 and has since been granted asylum in Germany.

Museveni’s son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, who also is the army commander continually inflames tensions further through his inflammatory posts of his X platform, where on different occasions has promised to behead Honorable Kyagulanyi, kill veteran opposition politician Kizza Besigye by hanging and allowing police and the army to shoot supporters of the opposition, especially those putting on the National Unity Platform Party red overall and beret.

During the Kawempe North constituency by-election early this year, journalists were battered by security operatives. Muhoozi commended the good work done by security and promised to arrest any security officer who desists from battering journalists, opposition politicians and their supporters. This has created a delicate climate for journalists leading to many of them fleeing the country.

The political environment has darkened further with the introduction of harsh laws, especially targeting LGBTQ+ communities and their allies. The Anti Homosexuality Act, passed in 2023, imposes life terms or even the death penalty for same sex relations and penalties for “promotion.” This has forced advocates to either hide or flee.

The new legislation has been intentionally used to silence dissenters by labeling them “promoters” of homosexuality. Nyombi Morris, for instance an environmental and LGBTQ+ activist threatened within Uganda, fled to Denmark in 2024 after facing retaliatory violence aimed at his family.

In May 2025, Muhoozi publicized abduction of Hon Kyagulanyi’s bodyguard Edward Sebuufu popularly known as Eddie Mutwe when he released gruesome pictures of his tortured body and threatened the opposition leader himself, an act condemned as deepening authoritarianism.

Prominent journalists, entertainers and outspoken bloggers have been targeted. Reform-minded radio and TV presenters and news reporters continue to flee the country. In May 2023 Tusuubira Ibrahim Lubega also known as Jajja Ichuli, a fearless blogger and music critic was shot dead by unknown assailants in Kampala. His dead brought a wave of shock within his circles and beyond, leading to the exodus of many into exile, joining the ranks of asylum seekers, broadcasting from abroad through platforms like YouTube, Tik Tok, Facebook and diaspora-run channels.

Individual stories illustrate a broader phenomenon: Uganda’s creatives, thinkers, and activists are abandoning hope and leaving and leaving the country in a landscape growing hostile and inhabitable to dissent.
Refugees and migrants recount a common refrain: “You either support Museveni, be quiet, or you flee.”

Many migrants cite the disappearance of civic space and persistent erosion of civil liberties as primary motivators. Taken together, this wave of reluctantly enforced emigration is stripping Uganda of a vital creative and intellectual class.

Writers fear censorship and torture; musicians face the end of their careers; academics, activists, and artists risk abduction or exile. Many have expressed a deep desire to return but under current conditions, a safe return remains out of reach.

The continued fleeing of the country’s intellectuals, artistic, and professional core elites risks the country into a “brain drain” crisis. It reflects deeper structural decay in Uganda’s political environment; without systemic reform, the country risks losing not just individuals but the critical, creative lifeblood essential to its future. Kakwenza Rukirabashaija a diaspora commentator warns that the future of Uganda may lie in foreign capitals, not Kampala.

Diaspora-based opposition is ramping up. Ugandans in the Europe, North America, Asia and all around the world are lobbying foreign governments to impose sanctions and travel restrictions against senior Ugandan officials, including Museveni and his son Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

Many diaspora Ugandans are amplifying their calls for international accountability through protests, conferences, and digital advocacy.

Countries like U.S. and U.K acting upon the diaspora call have imposed visa restrictions on Ugandan officials implicated in rights violations.

While their departure signifies a national crisis, exiled voices continue to uphold Ugandan culture and demand reform. Kyagulanyi leverages global platforms to raise awareness. Stella Nyanzi, Kakwenza and others publish and educate in Europe, and diaspora activists lobby foreign governments for pressure. Yet, their effectiveness hinges on sustained international attention and tangible policy pressure. Will global actors intervene decisively now, or watch as an entire generation of voices is silenced?

Before an answer is reached at, the departures continue painting a tragic backdrop for a generation of Ugandans whose talents and voices may strengthen foreign lands more than the country they once called home.

The writer is an advocate for democracy and justice through the arts, media and other platforms
Email: richardlk63@gmail.com
Tel: +447351353725

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The countries have 60 days to meet new requirements, including providing reliable identity documents and reducing visa term violations.

If the countries fail to comply, they may face visa restrictions, travel bans, or other limitations. The memo suggests that countries willing to accept third-country nationals being removed from the US may face fewer restrictions.

The potential travel restrictions are part of the Trump administration’s efforts to strengthen border security and ensure American safety.

The list of affected countries includes 25 African nations, with Uganda being one of them. Others include Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The US State Department has not commented on the ongoing internal deliberations, but a spokesperson said the department is constantly reevaluating policies to ensure American safety and compliance with laws.

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Kiiza was found guilty of contempt of court and sentenced to nine months in prison by the General Court Martial, chaired by Brigadier Robert Freeman Mugabe, on January 7, 2025.

Following the jail term, Kiiza applied for bail about three weeks ago. Kiiza contends that he has a fixed place of abode at Central Kiwatule Zone, Kiwatule Ward, Nakawa Division, Kampala City, within the jurisdiction of the High court.

He assures the court that he has three sound and substantial sureties ready and willing to stand for him, including his wife Sylvia Tumwebaze, the archives and data manager at Hima Cement, and two lawyers; Dr Busingye Kabumba, a lecturer of Law at Makerere University, and Primah Kwagala, executive director of Women’s Probono Initiative—both of whom are his friends.

Kiiza emphasizes that he is a family man with three young children, aged between 4 and 10 years, who need him to be around as a parent. He argues that keeping him in prison is likely to cause harm to both his parental and professional obligations, as he is the sole partner at his law firm, Kiiza and Mugisha Company Advocates.

Kiiza also requested the court to release him, citing good conduct and his pending appeal, which he believes has a high likelihood of success, among other grounds. In a response filed by the office of the DPP through an affidavit, chief state attorney Joseph Kyomuhendo stated that as an advocate, Kiiza should have known about court decorum and acted in a manner expected of his standing to protect the dignity of the court process.

Kyomuhendo further stated that the conviction reflects the need to protect the court process and underscores the necessity for a restrictive stance on bail in such matters. The DPP’s opposition to Kiiza’s bail application is based on 11 grounds, indicating that Kiiza must provide strict proof of his allegations.

Kyomuhendo also pointed out that the Supreme court’s decree in Constitutional Appeal No. 02 of 2021, which Kiiza’s legal team relied on, only applies to civilians tried under Section 119 (1)(g), now Section 117 (1)(g) of the UPDF Act, and not advocates found in contempt of court under Sections 169 (1)(g) and 212(9) of the UPDF Act.

According to Kyomuhendo, Kiiza has not shown any exceptional circumstances warranting bail. He also argued that the sureties presented by Kiiza are not substantial, as they live in different locations and have no direct control over him.

“In reply to the applicant’s list of sureties, it is our considered submission that they are not substantial. For instance, on the issue of place of abode, all three sureties presented by the applicant do not adduce evidence to show whether they are tenants or landlords. They further show that they live in different locations and therefore are incapable of compelling the applicant to attend court,” said Kyomuhendo.

The prosecution also argues that the appeal is frivolous and has no possibility of success because the High court has no jurisdiction to entertain the appeal. They contend that Kiiza’s appeal should be handled by the Court Martial Appeals Court because the High court lacks jurisdiction in such matters.

“That in further reply thereto, the applicant was convicted and sentenced in accordance with the law, and this court has no jurisdiction to hear and grant an application for bail pending appeal before the Court Martial Appeal Court,” says Kyomuhendo.

The DPP also disputed Kiiza’s claim that his appeal will be substantially delayed due to the backlog in the court system, stating that the High court has a good record of disposing of cases.

As such, the DPP urged the court to deny Kiiza’s bail application, citing the need to maintain court decorum and uphold the integrity of the court process. Kyomuhendo prayed that the court considers the totality of the averments contained in the affidavit and finds that the balance of convenience lies squarely with maintaining Kiiza in prison.

Kiiza was convicted on January 7, 2025, when he went to represent Dr Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale. His evidence before the court indicates that as he approached the bar, he was blocked, obstructed, and denied access by armed military personnel dressed in military police attire.

“When I demanded an explanation for my denial of access, none was given. This prompted me to insist on my right of access to the bar as an advocate,” said Kiiza.

Kiiza adds that within minutes, the court clerk violently pushed him away, and the military police orderlies descended on him with blows, kicks, fists, and batons.

“They violently dragged me from the courtroom to the dock while continuing to brutally assault me,” reads Kiiza’s affidavit.

Kiiza further states that after being forcibly removed from the dock and detained in the holding cells, the military police officers continued assaulting him until fellow inmates intervened.

Kiiza was subsequently convicted of contempt of court and sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment, a sentence for which he has so far served more than two months at Kitalya Min-Max prison.

Last month, High court civil division judge Dr Douglas Singinza dismissed a habeas corpus application filed by Kiiza for lack of jurisdiction, stating that it had been wrongly filed. Kiiza’s bail application will be heard by the criminal division judge, Michael Elubu, on March 25, 2025.

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The performing arts industry in Uganda (music, dance and drama) developed gradually since colonial time.

For many years the industry was seen as a sector that harbored spoilt people in society, rendering it one of the most despised professions in the country. This perception was largely built on the code of conduct that performing artists had back in the day.

Most of the artistes were drunkards and lived recklessly.

The industry, however, gained momentum from the mid and late 1990s, when performers at the time managed to put up a successful fight against foreign music especially from  the then Zaire now Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya.

The start of the new millennium saw the coming of the three music giants (Bobi Wine, Bebe Cool and Jose Chameleone) who transformed the industry into the modern and attractive industry that has attracted and employed thousands of Ugandans for the last two decades.

Not forgetting the tremendous contribution of the band music performers such as Ronald Mayinja, Mesach Semakula, Geofrey Lutaaya (now member of parliament Kakuuto on National Unity Platform-NUP card) among others.

In the last decade, the performing arts industry became one of the most attractive sectors where every parent wanted their children to belong.

However, the industry has had a great set back in the past 5 years when Hon Kyagulanyi Robert Sentamu (formerly Bobi Wine) got involved in active politics and put up great opposition to the ruling NRM party.

When he stood for the Kyadondo East parliamentary by election, Kyagulanyi was despised by the prominent political actors but his landslide win opened their eyes.

Many saw potential in him while others envied him. Nevertheless, he continued pursuing his political career and has a musician, he had a big following (fan base) which followed him in politics.

Uganda’s dictator General Museveni started by putting an indefinite ban on him and all his musical performances in 2017. This marked the beginning of the death of the industry because Bobi Wine stayed strong and focused on removing the dictator.

Kyagulanyi’s enthusiasm compelled General Museveni to employ the divide and rule tactic when he embarked on buying out performers to fight Bobi Wine. This was a great blow to the industry which neither the musicians nor the fans saw.

The divisions led to hatred amongst musicians and fans started boycotting and blacklisting their formerly favorite musicians. Social media became a fighting ground, insults, abuses and mockery became apparent. Because performers mainly depend on stage shows to earn, the dictator started giving them money to corrupt their support to him.The People Power Our Power slogan was used to punish whichever. musician sided with the dictator.

The former darlings and crowd pullers such as Ronald Mayinja, Catherine Kusaasira, had to flee the country temporality.

Eddie Kenzo who was the darling of young people became the most hated and criticized musicians. He turned into an NRM advocate and has literally abandoned his career to promote the dictatorship.

Kenzo had for many years represented Uganda in international awards and had won many of them but ever since he sided with the dictator he lost all endorsements and has never been nominated anywhere.

It’s coming to three years and he hasn’t recorded any new song. Bebe Cool who is now an NRM mobilizer has tried to remain consistent in the industry but the public boycotted his music. Jose Chemeleone is also entangled in political woes as he initially supported NRM, then went and supported Bobi Wine but ended up standing as a DP flag bearer. for the Kampala Lord Mayor seat.

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The sight of Dr. Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and leading opposition figure, visibly frail and struggling to breathe at Buganda Road court in Kampala on Friday, is a damning indictment of Uganda’s justice system.

Besigye’s weakened state, reportedly due to a hunger strike protesting his unlawful detention, has sparked outrage and raised urgent questions about the government’s commitment to the rule of law. Despite a Supreme Court order for his release, Besigye remains behind bars, flagrantly violating both Ugandan law and international human rights standards. This is not just a political issue—it is a moral crisis exposing the erosion of democracy under President Yoweri Museveni’s regime.

Uganda’s judiciary has been systematically undermined by executive interference. Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that civilians cannot be tried in military courts—a landmark decision for justice. President Museveni responded that the country was not being ruled by Judges but guerrillas-he led through a civil from 1980 until he seized government in 1986.

Besigye’s continued detention on military charges makes a mockery of the Supreme Court ruling. By defying the court, the government violates Article 28 of Uganda’s Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair trial, and Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which prohibits arbitrary detention. Uganda’s actions betray its legal and international obligations.

The government’s claim that Besigye is in “good health” and not on a hunger strike is a blatant attempt to mislead the public. Eyewitness accounts from his associates paint a starkly different picture, describing him as weak and struggling to breathe. This contradiction raises serious concerns about the transparency of Uganda’s prison system. If the authorities have nothing to hide, why deny independent medical assessments? The refusal suggests a deliberate effort to conceal the truth and suppress dissent.

Besigye’s detention is a chilling reminder of the shrinking space for political opposition in Uganda. By targeting him, the government sends a clear message: challenge the status quo, and face harsh reprisals. This strategy is not only undemocratic but also dangerously shortsighted.

The international community must join Ugandans to act. Uganda’s actions violate both domestic and international law. The African Union and the United Nations must hold Uganda accountable for its disregard of judicial independence and political freedoms. Besigye’s imprisonment is not just an attack on one man—it is an assault on democracy and justice. Allowing such impunity sets a dangerous precedent for authoritarian regimes globally.

On January 9, former National unity Platform Kawempe North Member of Parliament Mohammed Ssegirinya died. The public blamed a judge Lawrence Tweyanze for being used by the state to deny Ssegirinya bail to seek specialised medical care. Dr. Kizza Besigye’s lawyer Erias Lukwago has called for the release Besigye to enable him get medical attention to no heed. The chief of the Uganda Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba insists Kiiza Besigye will leave Luzira Prison in coffin- scenario that could cause chaos if it did happen. Release Dr Besigye to deter chaos and honor the Supreme Court’s ruling.

The writer is a journalist and human rights activist

The post Uganda’s erosion of Justice: The plight of Dr. Kizza Besigye appeared first on Daily Secrets.