#kcb11 to spend 79 days in luzira prison: how uganda’s judiciary is on trial

It’s 70 days today since eleven peaceful activists were arrested at the KCB Bank Uganda basement and charged with criminal trespass. These eleven activists, now known as the KCB11, held a brief press conference before peacefully proceeding to the bank. They hoped to share their reasons for opposing the bank’s involvement in the controversial East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). It never occurred to them that this would be the beginning of a very long detention.

First, they were charged with criminal trespass, which is a departure from the usual public nuisance charge we’ve seen filed against activists who demonstrate in opposition to EACOP. Second, attempts to secure their release on bail, as is their right, have been denied under unclear circumstances, prompting their lawyers to write a formal complaint to the Chief Magistrate asking for reassignment of the case to a different magistrate, citing bias and judicial misconduct by the presiding magistrate. You can see that letter here.

This case demonstrates the broader criminalization of peaceful climate activism in the country, something that the Ugandan Parliament has also noted, warning that the public is losing trust in the system. Click here to read our full press release.

The #StopEACOP coalition is calling on the public and international community to help put pressure on relevant institutions, including KCB Bank Uganda to secure justice for the KCB11