Kakwenza Rukirabashaija is a renowned novelist from Uganda who was arbitrarily arrested and detained on three occasions for his writings criticizing Ugandan government officials. While in detention, he was repeatedly tortured by state security forces.

In April 2020, Rukirabashaija was violently arrested and detained by officers, interrogated, and tortured.

In September 2020, he was arrested for a second time. Again, he was interrogated for his writing and tortured, despite still recovering from his prior detention.

In December 2021, he was arrested for a third time and tortured.

Why is This a Key Case?

This case illustrates a broader pattern of violent suppression of freedom of expression and dissent against the ruling government. The complaint alleges Uganda violated Rukirabashaija’s right to freedom of expression, highlighting the connection between the arbitrary detention and torture he endured and his activities as a writer and critic of the government. The three arrests, detention, and torture of Rukirabashaija were intended to punish him, as well as deter him from further writing.

How is RFK Human Rights Supporting Rukirabashaija?

RFK Human Rights submitted a petition to the UN Human Rights Committee on behalf of Rukirabashaija on December 17th, 2024.

Name of the case (as it appears in the respective legal mechanism)

Kakwenza Rukirabashaija v. Government of the Republic of Uganda

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Month/Year of filing

December 2024

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Legal mechanism in which the case is being litigated

United Nations Human Rights Committee

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Rights and legal instruments alleged violated (OR found to have been violated)

Articles 7, 9, and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

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Procedural stage

On September 25, 2025, the Human Rights Committee registered RFK Human Rights’s petition, which has been sent to Uganda with the request that Uganda submit any information or observation regarding the admissibility and the merits of the petition to the Committee by March 25, 2026.

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Counsel

RFK Human Rights, Kiiza & Mugisha Advocates