Agatha Authaire, a journalist turned local activist in Kampala, has found herself at the center of controversy as protesters continue to demand accountability for the huge, unspecified amount of funds she collected from well-wishers to process their bail applications.
In her latest attempt to divert the attention of her victims from demanding accountability, Agatha, a single mother, claimed on Monday, August 5, 2024, that her life was under threat.
She claimed a group of hitmen had been hired to harm her life, a claim that has been rejected by the protesters as a ploy to run away from accounting for the funds.
Through her X handle, Atuhaire claimed that some strange people on August 1, 2024, sent a warning message to her sister that they would kill her if she did not stop giving them sleepless nights.
However, the released protesters were quick to dispute Atuhaire’s claim, adding that she is merely trying to shift the narrative surrounding her actions and all the money received before, during, and after the protests.
“It cannot be by coincidence that just a few days after we were released and subsequently demanded accountability and a share of all the funds collected on our behalf, Agatha started getting death threats. We know she is a trickster who is good at changing and diverting narratives,” said an angry protester.
Amos Wakabi, one of the protesters on bail, said they simply want to know how much money was collected and how she used it.
According to Wakabi, it was a group of protesters who approached Atuhaire’s sister with the view that she helped them access her (Agatha) since she had switched off all her contacts and was completely avoiding them.
He adds that the death threat narrative is just being strategically used to frustrate their attempts to secure accountability for funds collected on their behalf.
“Whether she is being threatened or not, we need a share of all the money. We went to the streets because we thought we were fighting a just course; little did we know that she was cashing in on our sweat and sufferings,” Wakabi said.
Wakabi threatened that they would not relent until Authaire delivered full accountability and released to them part of the funds she received.
Colonel Deo Akiiki, the UPDF Director of Public Information, trashed Atuhaire’s claim of being trailed and said she should be assured of no existential or immediate threat to her life by any security organ.
“On the contrary, when you create such scenarios, you put yourself in harm’s way by opportunists; secondly, calling them CMI alone shows they are fake because such an organization no longer exists. Stay safe,” tweeted Col. Akiiki.
Wakabi said it is a clear indication that Authaire is indeed creating a diversion by creating a narrative that would call for the public, funders, and protesters to sympathize with her and cut down on the demands for accountability.
