Ugandan academic, feminist and writer Dr Stella Nyanzi and her children have fled the country over alleged safety concerns.
Nyanzi was previously jailed over her comments on President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni and members of the first family.
She lost a parliamentary poll for Kampala in the 2021 elections.
Now, Nyanzi says she was not safe as a writer and activist who wants to keep speaking truth to power.
Since December 28, Nyanzi’s friend and novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija has been in detention for reportedly disturbing the peace of President Museveni and his son Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. (Read story here).
Dr Nyanzi has now gone to Germany where she says she is valued.
“Go to where you are wanted! Go to where your skills and talents are appreciated. Go to where your children are safe even when you speak and write ugly truths to power. Go to where you will flourish when you work hard. When Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was abducted from his home, illegally detained in unknown military facilities for fourteen days, tortured during interrogation and denied access to his lawyers or doctors for fourteen days, I knew it was time to beat it and flee (yet again),” says the activist and writer.
“I refuse to be gagged. I refuse to be silenced! Critical writers must never be threatened merely for writing critically about brutal abusers of power flourishing under dictator Museveni.Bye-bye Museveni’s Uganda! Germany, please be good to me and my children.”
