Who is Kakwenza Rukirabashaija?

33-year-old Kakwenza was named the PEN 2021 Pinter International Writer of Courage Award. He is the author of 'The Greedy Barbarian' and 'Banana Republic: Where Writing is Treasonous'.

What's the controversy?

On 13 April 2020, Kakwenza was arrested by security operatives from his home in Iganga and detained for publishing his first book 'The Greedy Barbarian', which they believed was about President Yoweri Museveni. He was arrested again on September 18, 2020 after writing another novel, narrating his ordeal in the hands of his captors. In February 2021, Kakwenza sued the Government of Uganda for the torture he suffered at the hands of the CMI security operatives. On December 28, 2021 Ugandan security forces arrested Kakwenza after he had insulted Muhoozi on Twitter calling him obese and ridiculing his military training. The arrest was condemned by opposition leader Bobi Wine and PEN International. On January 4, 2022, a Ugandan court called for his release. He was released for a brief home visit under an armed guard that day. He showed visible signs of torture from the Ugandan police, including bloodstains on his clothing, which was removed by Kakwenza and kept by his wife. Pictures of his blood-stained clothing were uploaded to Twitter by Kiiza Eron, a Ugandan human rights lawyer. Although the Judicial courts had retained his passport asserting that the premises for his request to vacate the country were weak, Kakwenza fled Uganda to neighboring Rwanda in February 2022 fearing for his life. Following that, the UN Refugee Agency facilitated his journey to Germany.

How did people react to the news?

The Ugandan writer's arrival was also welcomed by Deniz Yucel, a Turkish-German journalist, and director of PEN Germany. Speaking on behalf of PEN International, Yucel said he was "very happy" Kakwenza was able to flee "from the clutches of his tormentors". PEN International is a worldwide association of writers, founded in London in 1921 to promote friendship and intellectual cooperation among writers everywhere.

Author who fled Uganda after "torture" arrives in Germany

Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, who was prosecuted in Uganda for insulting President Yoweri Museveni and his son arrived in Germany on February 23.

Pic credit: PEN International

Award-winning Ugandan novelist and lawyer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija who was prosecuted in Uganda for insulting President Yoweri Museveni and his son arrived in Germany on February 23, 2022 for medical treatment after being "tortured" in detention. Kakwenza's lawyer, Eron Kiiza, confirmed his client's arrival in Germany, describing the news as "a big relief".

Who is Kakwenza Rukirabashaija?
33-year-old Kakwenza was named the PEN 2021 Pinter International Writer of Courage Award. He is the author of 'The Greedy Barbarian' and 'Banana Republic: Where Writing is Treasonous'.
What's the controversy?
On 13 April 2020, Kakwenza was arrested by security operatives from his home in Iganga and detained for publishing his first book 'The Greedy Barbarian', which they believed was about President Yoweri Museveni. He was arrested again on September 18, 2020 after writing another novel, narrating his ordeal in the hands of his captors. In February 2021, Kakwenza sued the Government of Uganda for the torture he suffered at the hands of the CMI security operatives. On December 28, 2021 Ugandan security forces arrested Kakwenza after he had insulted Muhoozi on Twitter calling him obese and ridiculing his military training. The arrest was condemned by opposition leader Bobi Wine and PEN International. On January 4, 2022, a Ugandan court called for his release. He was released for a brief home visit under an armed guard that day. He showed visible signs of torture from the Ugandan police, including bloodstains on his clothing, which was removed by Kakwenza and kept by his wife. Pictures of his blood-stained clothing were uploaded to Twitter by Kiiza Eron, a Ugandan human rights lawyer. Although the Judicial courts had retained his passport asserting that the premises for his request to vacate the country were weak, Kakwenza fled Uganda to neighboring Rwanda in February 2022 fearing for his life. Following that, the UN Refugee Agency facilitated his journey to Germany.
How did people react to the news?
The Ugandan writer's arrival was also welcomed by Deniz Yucel, a Turkish-German journalist, and director of PEN Germany. Speaking on behalf of PEN International, Yucel said he was "very happy" Kakwenza was able to flee "from the clutches of his tormentors". PEN International is a worldwide association of writers, founded in London in 1921 to promote friendship and intellectual cooperation among writers everywhere.