Today, we submitted a petition to the Uganda Human Rights Commission demanding justice for the detained female environmental activists whose right to apply for bail has been denied.
These brave women have spent over three months in detention, and the Buganda Road Magistrate Court continues to refuse their bail application — a clear violation of their constitutional and human rights.We call for immediate action and accountability.We are a Civil Society Organisation whose main objective is to promote the rights of marginalized groups, especially women through legal representation, empowerment and advocacy in Uganda.
Together with the undersigned female environmental activists, Civil Society Organizations, Human Rights Defenders and concerned citizens, we call upon your institution to intervene in the ongoing violation of the constitutional rights of three female environmental activists in the above captioned matter.
Background;
The said female Environmental Activists are Asio Dorothy (20 years), Nakyambadde Teopista (25 years) and Nalwadda Shammy (24 years) who were peacefully delivering petition to Stanbic Bank on August 1, 2025 in protest against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project due to its documented human and environmental violations. Despite the nonviolent nature of their action, they were arrested and have been denied the right to apply for bail highlighting the increasing criminalization of civic activism and suppression of dissent in Uganda.
We respectfully draw the attention of the Commission to the broader growing pattern of repression against the female environmental activists in Uganda. The case at hand is not isolated. There are multiple ongoing cases across different courts in Uganda involving environmental activists particularly those who oppose oil projects and other environmentally harmful developments.
It should be noted that the Government and oil companies are increasingly using the Judiciary as a stool to silence and suppress environmental activism. This is being done by pressing criminal charges against activism including Common Nuisance, Nuisance on Roads and Criminal Trespass.
These charges are often arbitrary, repetitive and appear intended not to pursue justice but rather to discourage civic engagement and peaceful protests. They have become a pattern of judicial harassment targeting individuals who are exercising their constitutional right to protect the environment and speak out against harmful practices.
Legal concerns;
Since the arrest of these Activists, they have appeared in court more than five times, yet the presiding Trial Magistrate has consistently refused to hear their bail application. It is important to stress that this is not a case where the Application for bail has been heard and denied, but rather the Magistrate has entirely refused to hear the application in violation of Article 23(6)(b) and (c) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, which guarantees every person the right to apply for bail at any stage of proceedings unless charged with a capital offense triable by the High Court.
The last court appearance on October 20, 2025, saw the magistrate deny the hearing of the bail application again, citing that the case was at an advanced stage. This justification is not supported by any law as the law in Uganda permits the accused person to apply for bail at any stage of the proceedings before Judgment is delivered particularly in cases triable by a magistrate court.
The said Activists are charged with the offense of Nuisance on Roads C/S 65 (e) of the Roads Act Cap 346 which is categorized as a minor offence and clearly within the jurisdiction of the Magistrate’s Court. There is therefore no legal basis for the continued denial of their right to apply for bail.