“In April this year, when the police violently arrested me, laid siege at my home and put me under house arrest, Nana refused to keep quiet.”

Although she was seven and half months pregnant, she decided to visit the police headquarters in Naguru to request a meeting with the IGP or his deputy and protest “against the blatant violation of the rights of Ugandans”.

When she approached the gate to the police headquarters, dozens of police officers intercepted her and blocked her from accessing the public office.

According to her, the moment she mentioned the name ‘Kyagulanyi’ it was as if she had stirred a swarm of angry bees! They quickly pounced on her, pepper-sprayed inside her car and manhandled her in all manner of ways.

“She says that in trying to forcefully pull her out of her car, the officers who we pay to protect us, undressed her and stepped on her heavy belly as they dragged her out of the vehicle,” Bobi Wine explained.

Sadly, they seemed to enjoy what they were doing. When one of them protested against the manner in which a heavily pregnant woman was being treated, another responded by saying they would help her deliver her baby there and then.

She says that a female police officer put her hands between her thighs and squeezed her groin as if in vengeance. Her pleas fell on deaf ears.

Once she was out of the car, she was left to fall down with a thud. She would soon become unconscious and spend lots of time in hospital where several activists visited her.

“Sadly, as a result of her injuries, Nana had to give birth prematurely. We thank God that she delivered her baby alive, but her uterus had to be removed in order to save her life.”

“While at the hospital, the state ordered that she is subjected to drug tests- apparently, these guys have grown so cold that they suspect anyone who stands up for his or her rights to be under the influence of drugs!”

Bobi Wine says Nalongo is unfazed and her resolve to fight impunity and injustice has not diminished.

“She knows that this is part of the price those who fight against dictators have to pay. Her story challenged me in ways I cannot express. This is a lady who could have chosen to live a very comfortable life because she has the means.”

But like Dr. Stella Nyanzi, she deems it worthy to suffer alongside the oppressed people of God than live a fleeting life of pleasure when everyone else is not free, Bobi Wine noted.

“Mama, people like you are the true heroes of our nation. We stand in solidarity with you as you demand for justice. And let such stories challenge all of us to do the best we can do to build a country in which nothing like this ever happens to a Ugandan for daring to speak up!”

Nana’s predicament

The single mother of five told Daily Monitor from Kampala Independent Hospital in Ntinda, where she is still admitted, that she was also protesting against the killing of Ronald Ssebulime by police.

In September 2018, Namata stormed a meeting on tax policy in Kampala and grabbed a microphone from the speakers, saying government was not doing much to take care of its citizens.

The gynaecologist, who carried out the C-Section to remove a foetus, said Namata got a hematoma [clotted blood] on the uterus “as a result of a blunt object.”

After the assault, she was taken to Iran-Uganda Hospital, a medical facility run by the police where several tests were carried out.

The police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, told Monitor the lady had sued police.

“The problem is that some of these activists mistake indiscipline with activism. But since she has gone to court, our legal department will respond accordingly,” he said.