Wife of exiled activist living in fear

Ahead of the 2026 general elections, wife of exiled opposition activist, Jane Mukalugwiiza, wife of exiledRakai National Unity Platform mobiliser Sam Kyakarita says she is living in fear.

Mukalugwiiza says she has been receiving threats from alleged state operatives despite her husband fleeing the country in 2023. Kyakarita is said to be in Germany where famous figures like former Makerere don Stella Nyanzi and writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija are living in exile.

“They are threatening me because of him (my husband),” she says before adding.

“They think he is involved in mobilizing for the opposition, or having things going on and still actively involved in local political affairs or maybe in fundraising for some of the activities. They ask me what his role is and what they are planning but I don’t know anything about this.”

“I have been warned and also asked to warn him.”

She clarified that these queries are intensified whenever she socializes with some of the former colleagues of her husband.

“It is difficult to socialize normally. I feel I am being watched all the time and when I see on the news people disappearing, it gets even more scary. Everything seems to have a political lens.”

Mukalugwiiza stressed that she cannot take the threats for granted following the death of her father-in-law and caretaker who died under unclear circumstances after her husband fled to exile. 

The late James Byakutangaza, father to Kyakarita was killed in cold blood in Rakai in May 22, 2023 and there has never been a comprehensive investigation into the death. Local authorities claimed he was victim of a robbery attack in the night but the family remains skeptical.

 “Prior to the incident, Kyakarita had gone missing, then re-surfaced and ended up running to exile,” she says. She noted that she is worried about her children.

 “I have two children who need their parents. With their father away, their grandfather killed in such a manner, I am afraid. My last-born son has never seen his father and all this is happening. It’s too much for me.”

 Mukalugwiiza has since filed a complaint with policevide sdref 23/27/12/2025 but nothing has materialized yet. 

Amnesty International has accused Ugandan security forces of unlawfully targeting opposition rallies with unnecessary and excessive force and arbitrary arrests, and subjected some attendees to torture or other ill-treatment.

In a January 5 statement, Amnesty, citing multiple sources, including the NUP and an independent civil society organization, say more than 400 people have been arrested for attending rallies in different parts of Uganda, or for being perceived to be supporters of the opposition party.

“The authorities have launched a brutal campaign of repression against the opposition and its supporters, making it extremely difficult for them to exercise their rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly,” said Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa.

The accusations come amid heightened political tensions as President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, seeks a seventh term in office. Previous election cycles in Uganda have been marked by clashes between security forces and opposition supporters, as well as criticism from rights groups and international observers.