Aloikin Praise Opoloje
Aloikin Praise Opoloje | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1999 (age 26–27) |
| Alma mater | Makerere University |
| Occupation | Human rights activist |
| Years active | 2024–present |
| Organization | WeThePeople |
| Known for | Protesting against corruption in Uganda |
Aloikin Praise Opoloje (born 1999) is a Ugandan human rights activist. She became known in 2024 for leading a series of protests against corruption in Uganda, for which she was arrested and detained on three separate occasions. In 2025, Opoloje received the European Union Human Rights Defenders' Award in recognition of her activism, and was a finalist for the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders.
Biography
Opoloje was born and raised in Paliisa, a district in the Ugandan capital, Kampala. She later said her inspiration to become an activist was based on growing up in Paliisa, where she could see the impacts of state corruption, including failing health and education institutions. In 2023, while studying law at Makerere University, Opoloje almost died while giving birth to her daughter; the ward was crowded and understaffed, and Opoloje's mother was forced to pay a 5000 UGX bribe in order for Opoloje to receive life-saving sutures.[1][2][3]
Opoloje subsequently began posting videos on social media in which she discussed corruption, most notably on X.[4] She created WeThePeople, a community group that aimed to inform young Ugandans of their civil rights, as well as about non-violent resistance.[2]
On 23 July 2024, Opoloje organised the March on Parliament, an anti-corruption protest that called for the resignation of Anita Among, the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, due to allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds. Planned to march through central Kampala to the Ugandan parliament, protesters were quickly stopped and arrested by police. Opoloje was detained until early August at Luzira Maximum Security Prison; during this time, she reported being sexually and physically assaulted by police officers.[1][2][4][5][3][6][7][8]
Shortly after Opoloje's release from prison, a landslide occurred at the Kiteezi Landfill, causing 35 deaths and destroying hundreds of homes. Inspired by traditional African cursing ceremonies, Opoloje and two other activists decided to organise the Nude Protest to Parliament, during which they would march naked except for a covering over their genitals, with "no corruption" painted on their bodies. The protest was held on 2 September 2024; Opoloje and her two fellow marches were quickly arrested and detained at Luzira for 10 days before being granted bail by Buganda Road Magistrates Court.[6][7][4][8]
Opoloje has since arranged other marches, including the March to the Supreme Court to protest the use of court-martials to trial civilians, primarily political dissidents and human rights activists.[2] As of 2025, Opoloje has been arrested and detained three times, and has three separate ongoing court proceedings against her.[2] Critics of Opoloje have accused her of "misusing" the female body, "attention-seeking" and of being funded by "foreign countries", as was alleged by the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni.[3][6][7]
Recognition
Opoloje won the 2025 EU Human Rights Defenders' Award in recognition of "her courageous activism for civil liberties, accountability, social justice and anti-corruption in Uganda".[1] That same year, she was a finalist for the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders, ultimately placing as runner-up to Brazilian activist Ana Paula Gomes de Oliveira.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 "Ugandan activist and law student, Aloikin Praise Opoloje wins EU Human Rights Defenders' Award 2025". Delegation of the European Union to Uganda. 16 May 2025. Archived from the original on 30 September 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Aloikin Praise Opoloje". Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders. 2025. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Aloikin Praise Opoloje "The nude protestor" What drives her?". The Observer. 6 December 2024. Archived from the original on 16 January 2026. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 Matsiko, Haggai (8 November 2024). "How Uganda Tried to Silence Protest". Institute for War and Peace Reporting. Archived from the original on 19 January 2026. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- ↑ "Aloikin Praise Opoloje". Shangazi Power. Archived from the original on 5 July 2026. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 Wanderema, Enock (4 February 2025). "Human rights are not just for those in power". News Decoder. Archived from the original on 7 February 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 Maberi, Nickson (15 May 2025). "Aloikin Praise: Anti-Graft Nude Protester Wins EU Human Rights Defenders Award". ChimpReports. Archived from the original on 15 May 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
- 1 2 Kigongo, Juliet (12 September 2024). "Three bailed after nude anti-corruption protest at parliament". Monitor. Archived from the original on 21 May 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2026.