Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has ordered prison authorities to examine environmental activist Dorothy Asio and submit a medical report after she collapsed in the dock during a court session on Monday.
Asio collapsed while chanting “hungry for justice” in protest against her continued detention alongside nine other activists arrested during a march to Parliament over Uganda’s oil sector.
The incident prompted Grade One Magistrate Rophine Achayo to suspend proceedings for several hours as the court sought clarification about Asio’s health.
Achayo directed prison authorities to establish whether the activist was experiencing a genuine medical emergency or whether the incident had been staged. She also cautioned against attempts to dramatise court proceedings.
The case was subsequently adjourned to November 16, when the court is expected to continue hearing the defence application for bail.
Asio, a Kyambogo University student and member of environmental group Rooted in Resistance, was arrested on August 31 alongside nine other activists as they marched towards Parliament to deliver a petition calling for reforms in Uganda’s oil sector.
The group was charged on September 1 with being a nuisance on a public road under Section 67(1)(c) of the Roads Act, Cap 346. They have denied the charges and have spent nearly 70 days on remand.
Speaking outside court, defence lawyer Kugonza Musimbi of Liberty Pro Bono Initiative said Asio had embarked on a hunger strike to protest the prolonged detention and repeated adjournments of the case.
“Asio went on hunger strike, as there was nothing she could do to show that there is injustice,” Musimbi told journalists.
He said the defence had presented sureties willing to stand for the accused persons to secure their release on bail.
Another defence lawyer, Samuel Wanda, questioned why the activists remained in custody after more than 60 days without the prosecution presenting witnesses.
Wanda also said the defence had received unverified information from a prison officer suggesting that Asio could be suffering from ulcers.
Monday’s incident is the second time an accused activist has collapsed in the same courtroom. On October 12, co-accused Shakira Kasonga also collapsed during proceedings. Prison authorities were ordered to assess her health, after which she was granted bail.
The remaining accused persons are still on remand.
Human rights activist David Musiri, who attended the hearing, criticised the handling of the case and called for greater judicial independence.
Musiri said Uganda was experiencing “rule by law” rather than “rule of law” and urged leaders to prioritise environmental protection and accountability.
Rooted in Resistance campaigns against fossil fuel developments, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), and advocates for renewable energy, green manufacturing and climate-smart agriculture.
The government has defended oil development as necessary for economic growth. EACOP is reportedly more than 90 per cent complete, with first oil expected in 2027.
The court is expected to receive the medical report before resuming the bail proceedings on November 16.
