NAIROBI – Former Kenyan minister and senior advocate Martha Karua has hailed the poetry of Ugandan activist Sam Mugumya—praising his work as a continuation of Africa’s liberation heritage.
Mugumya’s poetry collection, “We Refuse to Be Victims,” was launched in Nairobi—with the Ugandan activist joining the event virtually from an undisclosed location due to security concerns.
Karua lauded Mugumya’s resolve—saying his poetry was a testament to the power of art to challenge injustice. “This is not just a book launch, it is a celebration of a legacy,” she said.
In 2014, Sam Mugumya, a former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) activist and also an aide to then party leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, was arrested under unclear circumstances and later confined at Ndolo prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Eight years later, he was released from jail on October 21, 2022.
Mugumya’s poetry was written during his eight-year imprisonment in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His first manuscript was confiscated and destroyed by authorities, according to Mugumya.
Karua praised Mugumya’s determination—saying he chose hope over despair. “His poetry kept him alive, focused, and unbroken—a testament to the indomitable human spirit,” she said.
Karua is the legal representative of Kizza Besigye and his aide Hajj Obeid Lutale, who are battling treason charges. The pair were arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, and moved to Uganda, a few months after Kenyan authorities had also arrested 36 members of Besigye’s Forum for Democratic Change party, one of Uganda’s main opposition groups.
They were then deported to Uganda, where they were indicted on charges related to “terrorism”. The Kenyan politician condemned systemic oppression in Kenya and Uganda, citing abductions of activists and flawed policies.
“These are some of the injustices we face today, and the fear in us sometimes stops us from raising a finger,” she said.
Karua urged national and cross-border unity in the fight against injustice. “The movement to liberate ourselves from oppression is now not confined to any one country. It is within our neighbourhood, our region, and all countries of the world experiencing repression,” she said.
She called for national solidarity, stressing that the liberation movement must be led by shared values. “Let us not allow anyone to define the limits of your expressions, or the heights of the dreams for our country, our continent,” Karua said.
