KAMPALA — Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has directed prison authorities to submit a medical report on environmental activist Dorothy Asio following her collapse in the dock during Monday’s hearing.
Asio collapsed while chanting “hungry for justice”, protesting her continued detention alongside nine other activists arrested during a march to Parliament over Uganda’s oil sector.
The incident forced Grade One Magistrate Rophine Achayo to halt proceedings for several hours as the court sought clarification on the activist’s health.
Achayo directed prison officials to examine Asio and establish whether she was experiencing a genuine medical emergency or whether the incident had been staged. She also warned against attempts to dramatise court proceedings.
The case was subsequently adjourned to November 16, when the court is expected to resume hearing the defence’s bail application.
Asio, a student at Kyambogo University and member of the environmental group Rooted in Resistance, was arrested on August 31 alongside nine other young activists as they marched towards Parliament to deliver a petition demanding reforms in Uganda’s oil sector.
The group was charged on September 1 with being a nuisance on a public road under Section 67(1)(c) of the Roads Act, Cap 346. They have denied the charge and have spent nearly 70 days on remand.
Outside court, defence lawyer Kugonza Musimbi of the Liberty Pro Bono Initiative said Asio had embarked on a hunger strike in protest against the prolonged detention and repeated adjournments of the case.
“Asio went on hunger strike, as there was nothing she could do to show that there is injustice,” Musimbi told journalists.
He said the defence had presented sureties who were available to stand for the accused and support their release on bail.
His colleague, Samuel Wanda, questioned the continued detention of the activists, noting that they had spent more than 60 days in custody without the prosecution presenting witnesses.
Wanda further said the defence had received unverified information from a prison officer suggesting that Asio might be suffering from ulcers.
The incident is the second involving an accused activist collapsing in the same courtroom. On October 12, co-accused Shakira Kasonga also collapsed during proceedings. Prison authorities were ordered to assess her health, and she was subsequently granted bail.
The other accused persons remain on remand.
Human rights activist David Musiri, who attended the hearing, criticised the handling of the case and called for greater judicial independence.
Musiri said Uganda was experiencing “rule by law” rather than “rule of law”, urging leaders to prioritise environmental protection and accountability.
Rooted in Resistance campaigns against fossil fuel developments, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), and advocates for renewable energy, green manufacturing and climate-smart agriculture.
Government officials have defended oil development as necessary for economic growth. EACOP is reportedly more than 90 per cent complete, with first oil expected in 2027.
The court is expected to receive the medical report before resuming the bail proceedings on November 16.
