Uganda: Over 100 Masaka Protest Suspects Arraigned Over Post-Election Violence

20 January 2026
Nile Post (Kampala)
By Zainab Namusaazi Ssengendo

- More than 100 people arrested by police over their alleged involvement in violent protests against the recently announced presidential election results were on Tuesday arraigned before the Masaka Chief Magistrate's Court.

The suspects, who were picked up from various parts of Masaka City, appeared before Chief Magistrate Abdallah Kayiza and were charged with multiple offences, including unlawful assembly, blocking roads, burning tyres, damaging public infrastructure and infringing on the rights of other citizens.

Police said the arrests followed demonstrations aimed at rejecting the presidential election results announced by the Electoral Commission.

Masaka Regional Police spokesperson Twaha Kasirye told journalists that the suspects were lawfully taken from police custody and produced in court to answer the charges preferred against them.

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When the accused appeared in court, pleas were not immediately taken as the magistrate first read out the charges. Chief Magistrate Kayiza said the alleged offences were committed on January 17, 2026, in different locations across Masaka City.

Due to the large number of accused persons, they were produced in court in groups. All the suspects denied the charges, with some telling court that they were arrested while returning from their workplaces, while others said they were picked up from their homes.

Although the accused face similar charges, the court set different dates for hearing their bail applications.

Some suspects were ordered to return on January 23, others on January 26, while another group is expected back in court on February 13, 2026.

However, minors who had been arrested alongside adults were released and handed back to their parents.

Commenting on the arrests, Kiziba Ward LC chairperson Richard Ssekittoleeko urged residents to remain calm and allow the legal process to take its course.

Defence lawyer Pius Kabiswa Kiryowa commended the magistrate for exercising restraint and appealed for the urgent consideration of bail for the remaining suspects, citing concerns over the health of some of the accused.

Court proceedings are expected to resume on the respective dates set for the bail hearings.

Read the original article on Nile Post.

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