Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has ordered prison authorities to conduct a medical examination of anti-oil activist Shakira Kasonga after she collapsed in the dock during court proceedings involving 10 members of the Rooted in Resistance group.
Kasonga, also referred to as Shakirah Kasoga, appeared before Grade One Magistrate Alex Ninyonzima on October 12 alongside nine co-accused. The group was remanded until October 19, when their bail application is scheduled to be heard.
The magistrate directed prison authorities to urgently examine Kasonga and submit a detailed medical report on her condition before the next hearing.
The activists were arrested on August 31 while attempting to march to Parliament to deliver a petition calling for reforms in Uganda’s oil policies and a transition to renewable energy.
They are charged with common nuisance under Section 67(1)(c) of the Roads Act, Cap 346.
The other accused are Lucky Nyamadri, Isaac Akampulira, Daniel Mugabe, Ivan Ochola, Enock Opolot, Sharifah Nantongo, Dorothy Asio, Rahma Namuddu and Sharon Shaluwatino.
Defence lawyers Kato Tumusiime and Doreen Namara raised concerns about the activists’ prolonged detention and prison conditions, arguing that these could affect their health and infringe on their constitutional rights.
The lawyers also cited delays in bail proceedings, saying magistrates had been unavailable on previous court dates.
In a separate session on October 12, four other Rooted in Resistance activists arrested on August 10 were remanded until October 26 as they await consideration of their bail application.
Rooted in Resistance campaigns against fossil-fuel expansion, particularly the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), and advocates for renewable energy and climate-conscious development.
