A petition has been started advocating for the immediate halt of U.S. aid to Uganda until Dr. Stella Nyanzi is freed.
The popular Makerere University researcher was arrested Saturday and charged Monday with offensive communication and cyber harassment in relation to her Facebook posts attacking the government and particularly the first family.
The petition, over Change.org, demands for her unconditional release, adding that the U.S. must now follow through and suspend aid to Uganda.
Petitioning President Donald Trump, USA journalist Milton Allimadi, a former freelance reporter for The New York Times, a reporter and deputy managing editor with The City Sun before founding The Black Star News started this movement Tuesday with a single signature, and now has 300 supporters.
“We are aware of the charges brought against Professor Stella Nyanzi. The United States has been clear regarding freedom of expression, including in Uganda. A society that is free, vibrant, and successful depends on the free flow of information and ideas.” The U.S. Department of State told Mr Milton.
News of Dr Nyanzi arrest on Saturday caused outrage on social media as some Ugandans accused the government of using intimidation and oppression to silence critics.
Amnesty International, a non-governmental organization focused on human rights that claims to have over 7 million members and supporters around the world said in a statement released Monday that government should drop all charges and unconditionally release Nyanzi.
Nobert Mao of the Democratic Party said the Computer Misuse Act under which Nyanzi is charged has no place in the information age and should be repealed.
During trial on Monday, the state called for mental examination of Dr Stella, after which the case was adjourned for 2 weeks. In her statements, the researcher pleased not guilty, urging that charges slapped at her are contrary to sections 24 (1)(2)(a) and 25 of the Computer Misuse Act 2011.
marvin@ugchristiannews.com
