Makerere University Researcher and activist, Stella Nyanzi has been granted bail finally regaining her freedom after spending over 30 days in detention. This is after she presented five sureties before court, citing poor health .
Among these is her sister, Sheilah Nyanzi; Moses Kiisa, a researcher with Center for Progressive Research and a resident of Bweyogerere; Solome Nakawesi, a feminist, activist and a resident of Kyaliwajala; and Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebagala, a human rights defender and activist, and resident of Buloba. The other surety is Nalongo Namata Nana, a mother of twins and Stella Nyanzi’s neighbour. However, the State Prosecutor, Jonathan Muwaganya objected had her bail, arguing that she ‘has health problems which she can’t control by herself’.
“The accused has mental problems and should not be released until after undergoing a mental examination,” Muwaganya told court. But in a rejoinder, Stella Nyanzi’s lawyers argued that “it’s a legal impossibility immunising one from free speech in a democracy”.
Buganda Road Court Magistrate, James Eremye Wawanda adjourned the case for 20 minutes before positively ruling on the bail application.
Nyanzi is facing charges of Cyber Harassment and Offensive Communication where she is accused of having used Facebook to call President Yoweri Museveni among other things ‘a pair of buttocks’.
