Today marks four years since Olivia Lutaaya, aged 32, was taken from her home in Namuwongo. Olivia, a member of the National Unity Platform (NUP), was abducted and held incommunicado, enduring torture. Later, she was brought to a military court without the knowledge of her legal team or family members.
Olivia’s ordeal began in December 2020 when she was arrested with other members of the NUP campaign team in Kalangala. They were held for several months without trial until Olivia obtained bail from the military court. However, her freedom was short-lived as she was abducted by the regime a few months later.
Since then, Olivia has remained in detention without receiving justice. She, along with other NUP comrades, has suffered trauma and torture at the hands of the regime. Despite a landmark ruling by the constitutional court prohibiting the trial of civilians in military courts, the regime has continued to disregard this decision.
The plight of Olivia Lutaaya highlights the ongoing challenges faced by members of the opposition in Uganda. The NUP, being the largest opposition party in the country, has repeatedly raised concerns about the infringement of human rights and the lack of adherence to legal procedures by the government.
