Nicholas Opiyo M chats with men in uniform at a past event. Courtesy photo.

Chapter Four releases statement after arrest of Lawyer Nicholas Opiyo

(Last Updated On: 22 December 2020)

A few days ago, Mr. Opiyo was interviewed by one of the Television stations in the country where he discussed political party funding by foreign countries.

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Kampala – December 22, 2020: Uganda’s popular human rights defender and lawyer Nicholas Opiyo has been arrested by people believed to be from a top security agency.

The Chapter Four Executive Director, Opiyo, according to different media reports, was arrested from a restaurant in Kamwokya, a Kampala suburb on Tuesday.

Fellow human rights activists and lawyers have unanimously condemned his arrest. Government is yet to issue a statement on the arrest and incommunicado detention.

His organization later issued a statement saying “Chapter Four Uganda is deeply concerned about the abduction and incommunicado detention of our Executive Director, Nicholas Opiyo, earlier Tuesday afternoon by unknown security operatives”.

It adds that “Chapter Four is further concerned about the safety and well-being of Mr. Opiyo, considering that he is being held outside of the protection of the law.”

“We are in the process of gathering facts and reviewing the situation, and we will be taking measures to ensure his prompt release.”

A civil rights charity organization added that it “condemns this brutal abduction and we call upon our colleagues and partners to condemn the arbitrary violation of his personal liberty, incommunicado detention and call for his immediate unconditional release”.

“Chapter Four legal team is taking action to ensure that Mr. Opiyo’s rights are respected and to ensure his prompt and unconditional release.”

Cause of his arrest

A few days ago, Mr. Opiyo was interviewed by one of the Television stations in the country where he discussed political party funding by foreign countries.

The Lead Attorney at Chapter Four Uganda noted that “it’s legal for political parties or opposition to get funding from foreign countries as long as such funding is received within one year to elections”.

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He also says such countries should not be in “confrontation” with Uganda, emphasizing that it’s not illegal for opposition parties to receive external funding.

Last month, the government froze bank accounts of more than five Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on allegations they are funding terrorist groups.

The CSOs denied this allegation, and some vowed to “continue” doing their civic responsibilities.

Ugandans will decide their next president on 14, January 2021.

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