Ugandan Court Remands UNAA Official for Recording Security Crackdown on Opposition
KAMPALA, Uganda – December 18, 2025 – A Ugandan court has charged and remanded Charles Bukenya Muvawala, Vice President of the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA), with computer misuse, following his arrest for recording security personnel during opposition campaign activities.
The Mwanga II Road Court ruled on Wednesday that Muvawala be held at Luzira Prison until December 23, when his case will be mentioned again. The charge stems from an incident on Monday, December 15, in the Rubaga division of Kampala, where Muvawala filmed police and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers confronting supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
According to the charge sheet, Muvawala “shared unsolicited information” by recording and distributing videos and photographs of security operations without authorization, an act prosecutors say violates Section 26(b) of the Computer Misuse Act.
Muvawala was reportedly apprehended by security personnel at the scene while documenting the clashes, which involved beatings and teargas.
The charges have drawn sharp criticism from NUP leadership, who allege the government is targeting Muvawala for his political affiliation. NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya described the charge as “ridiculous,” stating on social media that Muvawala was being prosecuted simply for recording and sharing evidence of security forces’ actions.
NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, suggested the government is attempting to criminalize documentation of state violence amid growing international scrutiny. “More reason why our people must use their cameras to record every incident,” Kyagulanyi stated, asserting that such evidence would “come in handy some time.”
This is not the first time Muvawala has faced detention. In March of this year, he was reportedly abducted, tortured, and interrogated about his links to the opposition party.
The case highlights heightened tensions in Uganda as the country approaches the 2026 general elections, with opposition figures frequently accusing state security forces of brutality and intimidation during campaign events.
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