A Day of Impact: SisterhoodChain and Freedom Hive Uganda Take a Stand

Today, Sisterhood Chain Int’l and Freedom Hive Uganda intervened decisively to prevent a single mother of ten from being unjustly jailed after enduring nine days of police detention. The alleged insult that sparked her arrest was reportedly connected to a neighbor with ties to senior officers at Wandegeya Police Station prompting serious concerns about abuse of power and unequal treatment under the law.

 Who Is Maureen Nakirijja?

• Age & Role: 42‑year‑old Maureen is the primary breadwinner for her family.
• Detention Details: Following a dispute in Kawempe, she was held for two days at Mulago Police Post before being transferred to Wandegeya police station, where she met activists Praise Aloikin, Namara Claire and Norah Kobusingye who were also incarcerated from the same station, these activists began mobilizing for her release.

• Emergency Mobilization: SisterhoodChain and Freedom Hive Uganda pooled resources and networks to secure reliable sureties for Maureen’s bail.
• Non-Cash Bail: She was granted bail set at UGX 500,000, which involved guarantors instead of cash payment a critical lifeline in a context where money is often a barrier to justice.
• Humanitarian Support: An additional UGX 100,000 was contributed by a local woman activist, moved by Maureen’s plight.

• Marginalized Mothers at Risk: Maureen’s case highlights how poverty and motherhood intersect with justice, leaving vulnerable women disproportionately exposed to punitive policing.
• Questionable Use of Influence: The involvement of a neighbor connected to police leadership raises serious questions about favoritism and whether the law is applied equally.
• Community-Driven Justice: This rescue showcases how grassroots solidarity can offset systemic injustice even under intense pressure.

This victory represents just one battle in our wider campaign for justice:

1. Policy Reform: We’re pushing for transparent bail processes advocating for use of non-cash sureties as standard, especially for those with limited means.
2. Public Awareness: Through media engagements, social platforms, and community workshops, we’re spotlighting how everyday incidents reflect systemic bias.
3. Support Networks: We continue to strengthen networks of women activists and legal volunteers to ensure swift responses to similar cases.
4. Institutional Accountability: Our next focus is engaging police leadership to promote protocols that prevent misuse of power and ensure fair treatment for all.

Freedom Hive Uganda and Sisterhood Chain reaffirm our stance: no mother regardless of her background should face jail for defending her rights or in the absence of fair treatment. Today’s success is proof that collective action works, and it inspires us to push for deeper structural change.

Thank you to everyone who contributed from activists to ordinary citizens who stood up for Maureen’s dignity. Together, we are reshaping justice in Uganda, one case at a time.