27-year-old human rights activist and lawyer Aloikin Praise Opoloje has been remanded to Luzira Prison by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s court on charges of allegedly using another person’s SIM card.
Opoloje was arrested over the weekend after, according to her account, detectives led her to believe she was required at a police station to resolve a matter involving a carpet that had allegedly been taken from a car washing bay.
She appeared before senior principal grade one magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko, where she was charged with using another person’s SIM card, contrary to Regulation 29 of the Regulation of Interception of Communications Regulations, 2024.
According to the charge sheet, in September 2026, within Rubaga and Kampala Central divisions or surrounding areas, Opoloje unlawfully used an MTN SIM card, 0770-955341, registered in the name of Martha Nalapa Tasima, allegedly for purposes of executing an illegal activity.
Court records indicate that the case arose from investigations into social media activity on an account allegedly operated by Opoloje.
It is alleged that Sgt Titus Mucunguzi of the Defence Intelligence and Security (DIS), formerly known as the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence, came across social media posts concerning Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba in September 2026.
The investigations allegedly established that the SIM card used to publish the material was registered in Nalapa’s name but was in Opoloje’s possession. The material allegedly included photographs and accompanying commentary containing vulgar language, with the CDF described as a “cabbage”, among other insults.
In one of the videos cited in the case, Opoloje is seen calling for justice and saying she was not among those who feared Muhoozi. She also alleged that he was sanctioning several abductions and human rights violations in the country.
Earlier protest case
In September 2024, Opoloje and two others, Norah Kobusingye and Kemitoma Kyenzibo, were charged with common nuisance following a nude protest along Parliamentary Avenue.
The trio had taken to the streets to protest what they described as rampant corruption and called for the resignation of then speaker of parliament Anita Among. Police intercepted them as they marched towards parliament.
Opoloje, who was wearing only a French knicker, with her breasts painted in the national colours of black, yellow and red, was carrying a placard protesting corruption. She was subsequently remanded to prison before Makerere University law dons and others stood surety for her.
Opoloje denied the latest charges and was remanded to Luzira Prison until October 14, 2026, when her lawyers, led by Kakuru Tumusiime, are expected to apply for her bail.
The “Bazukulu” are fed up. They see no positive hope in Uganda’s future. Worse still, when their greedy leaders can’t engage in constructive dialogue. I would love to see General Muhoozi in a debate about Uganda of today and future with Opoloje. Perhaps, one can learn a lot from another.
The criminals in power (power that be) insults like maniacs, but do not want to be insulted. They abduct and torture in the basement, but do not want to be abducted and tortured.
They threaten to crush and/or kill others, but do not want to be threatened, crushed or killed.
In other words, who in his/her right state of mind can still deny that: it is the Bandits and their criminal constitution, who think that they are the law. Therefore decide what is lawful and unlawful.
And who in his/her right state of mind can still deny that: throughout History, it is the fools in their vanity who think they are powerful?
E.g., Amin Dada thought he was powerful. But what happened to the power when the TZ PDF and UNLA showed him the dark barrel of the gun in April 1979.
For 43 years Gaddafi thought he was powerful and declared himself King of Kings. What happened to that power in 2011, when a 19-year old boy (teenager) pointed the dark barrel of his own (Gaddafi) Golden Pistol and shot him in the face?
In other words, except God, no fool is powerful! Otherwise keep dreaming and be aware of the reality of nightmare at daybreak.
This poorly worded article, and the ambiguous charges, should not be read as an isolated report about a SIM card or offensive social-media posts. It must be viewed within Uganda’s broader pattern of selective enforcement and military politicisation.
Uganda’s Constitution requires the armed forces to be non-partisan and subordinate to civilian authority. Yet the serving CDF, and president’s son, has openly engaged in partisan politics, publicly threatened and insulted citizens and opposition figures, commented on arrests and military operations, made statements with diplomatic implications, and been promoted as a future presidential candidate while still in office.
That conduct is especially significant because then-active officers such as Besigye and Sejusa previously faced serious repercussions for political statements made while serving in the army. The law and military rules were treated as binding when applied to these officers who challenged the ruling establishment. They now appear to be ignored when the serving CDF, and president’s son, acts in support of it.
Against that background, prosecuting a human-rights lawyer over alleged use of another person’s SIM card and social-media criticism of the CDF son of the president looks less like neutral law enforcement and more like selective punishment. The issue is not whether offensive speech should be immune from lawful investigation. The issue is whether the same standards apply to the CDF son of the president, his political movement the PLU, and ordinary citizens.
This CDF’s position gives his words coercive force. When he threatens people, announces arrests, comments on alleged torture or detention, or issues what appear to be directives on X, citizens cannot reasonably treat those statements as the ordinary speech of a private individual. Yet he is praised and promoted, while critics are arrested, detained, prosecuted, and sometimes allegedly tortured.
The central question is therefore not simply whether Opoloje used a SIM card registered to someone else. It is why constitutional restrictions on military partisanship, political speech, and civilian authority are rigorously applied to government opponents but apparently suspended for the serving CDF son of the president. Until that question is answered, this prosecution will reasonably be viewed as part of a broader system of unequal accountability and impunity.
Concerned J, in a nutshell we are under a regime that does not care about rules or regulations. Or doing the right thing. Our respite will only happen when this family is ejected from power. Otherwise, this country is going to continue being plundered and her citizens trashed.
Concerned J, it is heart breaking and I wonder:
40 years and counting, what is it that some/many Ugandans (NRM/PLU members) love, respect, support and/or praise in Gen Tibuhaburwa and his son Gen MK’s leadership?
In other words, is it the dishonesty, corruption, election rigging, nepotism, tribalism (sectarian marginalization, segregation in education, appointments etc.), diabolic violence (terrorism), abduction, torture in the basement, malicious prosecution, forced disappearances, extrajudicial murder, etc., which the supporters are in love with?
‘Cabbage’ is now a vulgar word and an insult in Uganda?