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Museveni critic Nyanzi arrested by Ugandan state agents


Controversial Ugandan lecturer and activist, Dr Stella Nyanzi, has reportedly been arrested by state agents, an incident that has since raised a storm on social media.

Dr Nyanzi, who has been a fierce critic of the Ugandan government in recent months, was reportedly picked up by unknown people immediately after attending a Rotary Fellowship in Kampala on Friday evening.

This is according to information on her official Facebook page, which was presumably posted by a third party, although Dr Nyanzi is yet to be seen or heard from.

Leading Ugandan newspaper, Daily Monitor, has also reported on its website that the police have confirmed the arrest of Dr Nyanzi.

According to the paper, Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Emilian Kayima, confirmed the arrest over two counts of cyber harassment contrary to Section 24 of the Computer Misuse Act of 2011 and Offensive Communication Section 25 of the same law.

However, Mr Kayima did not specify where the academician was being held.

“She is in our police facilities, period. Ask no more questions please. You have it all,” Daily Monitor quoted Mr Kayima.

Dr Nyanzi’s arrest is hardly surprising, considering the Ugandan Government’s history of clamping on presumed dissenting voices. She even prophesied her arrest last week, whilst also alleging state harassment at her home. She was hence denied permission to fly out of the country last month.

However, news of her arrest has sparked a storm on social media through the hashtag #FreeDrStellaNyanzi with her supporters expressing displeasure over the latest turn of events.

Dr Nyanzi, a confessed supporter of Ugandan opposition leader Kiiza Besigye, shot to fame earlier this year when she posted a damning message on her Facebook page suggesting she will burn of her private parts if President Yoweri Museveni was re-elected during the country’s general elections in February 6. This however, did not come to pass.

She also attracted international headlines after stripping naked at Makerere University, which at the time was her employer, to protest after her office space was taken away. The incident was captured live on TV.

She has also in the recent times continuously attacked the country’s First Lady Janet Museveni who also doubles up as the country’s State Minister for Education and Sports over policy issues. The First Lady however said on TV that she had forgiven her.