A group of local activists in Kampala who were recently accused of diverting huge sums of funds meant to facilitate the flopped “march to parliament” protest have changed tactics in their mobilization.
The activists are Atuhaire Agatha, the leader of Agora NGO, Jimmy Ssentongo, aka Spire, Godwin Toko, and Nickolas Opiyo of Chapter 4, among others.
A source has revealed that the group, after being hard-pressed to account for the funds by their team-mates, has now changed tactics and is targeting vulnerable young women who can be manipulated easily with little cash.
On Monday, September 2, 2024, a group of four young ladies who had been facilitated by the same group were arrested for engaging in a nude protest.
They were intercepted by the police while they were marching to parliament.
They are identified as Praise Aloikin Opoloje, Norah Kobusingye, and Kemitoma Kyenzibo; all are intern students at Chapter 4 owned by Opiyo and Agora owned by local journalist Atuhaire.
In August 2024, the leadership of Agora remained in the media, battling accusations of failure to produce substantive accountability for over Shs500 million, which they had received to facilitate the failed ‘March to Parliament in July.
Pundits claimed that staging a nude protest by Agora could be an attempt to divert the attention of those demanding accountability.
According to family members, Kobusingye is a very reserved person, but they were shocked when they saw her among the naked girls on the street during the nude protest.
The source notes that ever since this lady got involved with Agora, she has never been the same.
“Government should check these NGOs and abolish those that do not operate within the law; also, ever since Kobusingye got close to Agatha, she has changed; as her family, we are concerned about her love affairs with Agatha,” noted the relative.
Sources indicate that a large number of these girls were organized by Agora after paying them a little allowance, however, others pulled out at the last minute, leaving only the three girls to participate.
Kobusingye, during the previous arrests of the March to Parliament protests, had sworn to her family members never to return to the streets again shamelessly. She appeared almost naked this time.
“It’s not yet two months since Kobusingye was arrested during the first march to parliament protest, but she was again back on the streets. We know Agora could have threatened to discontinue them as interns and frustrate their VISA plans to the US or Canada, a move that left them vulnerable with no choice,” said another family source.
Aloikin Opoloje, one of the nude protesters, confirmed that they had prior engagements with the European Union regarding their welfare, including financial assistance.
The nude protestors have been remanded to Luzira Prison by the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court. They were charged with being common nuisances, contrary to 148(1) of the Penal Code Act.
