Ugandan writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was brutally arrested Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at his home in the Ugandan capital Kampala. “Gunmen claiming to be Ugandan police” broke into Mr. Rukirabashaija’s house while he was on the phone with his lawyer. “I heard them threatening to break his legs”his lawyer Eron Kiiza told AFP.
According to Eron Kiiza, Kakwenza Rukirabashaija is currently detained at the Crime Intelligence Unit in Naguru Kampala. Police spokesman Fred Enanga conceded his arrest without giving a reason. Writer, displayed critic of power and President Yoweri Museveni, received critical acclaim in 2020 for his satirical novel The Greedy Barbarian (The greedy barbarian), which describes an imaginary country deeply plagued by corruption, headed by a greedy and incompetent dictator. He received the International Writer of Courage, awarded by the English PEN organization which defends the freedom of expression of authors.
The writer has been arrested several times since the publication of this book. He claimed to have been tortured during interrogation which he recounted in another novel entitled The Banana Republic: where writing is treasonous (La Banana Republic: where writing is a betrayal).
“Yoweri Museveni, the President of Uganda, believed I was writing about him and sent his henchmen to arrest and torture me, in order to restrict my creativity.”
Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, Ugandan writerLiterary news
Lately, Kakwenza Rukirabashaija has stepped up his criticism of President Museveni’s son Muhoozi Kainerugaba, a general many believe wants to take over from his father, 77, and in power for 36 years. The writer called it d‘”obese” and “grumpy”.
In this country, the last few years have been marked by acts of repression against journalists, musicians, the imprisonment of lawyers and the muzzling of opposition leaders.
In November 2021, the American authorities adopted sanctions against the Ugandan military intelligence chief, General Abel Kandiho, for his alleged involvement and that of his services in serious human rights violations, including beatings, sexual assault and electrocution.
Ugandan human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo, who fled to the United States claiming to be threatened by the government, criticized on Twitter (left of Kakwenza Rukirabashaija on the photo of the tweet below) the arrest “violent and illegal” Mr. Rukirabashaija and called for his release.
The violent unlawful arrest of @KakwenzaRukira by non-uniformed armed men believed to be from the Crime Intelligence Unit of the @PoliceUg only makes his point – uninteligent integligence unit. I hope they see the point & release him forthwith. The pen is mighter. #freekakwenza pic.twitter.com/hHf8bwk5rn
– Nicholas Opiyo (@nickopiyo) December 28, 2021