Posted on January 21, 2022 at 2:09 PM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek
A recent update about embattled Ugandan novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija is, unfortunately, not encouraging.
The 2021 International Writer of Courage winner, currently being held in a prison, made a virtual court appearance today.
During the appearance, his lawyer indicated that Kakwenza has been tortured and asked that he be released on bail so he can receive medical treatment, according to the news site Taarifa.
A ruling on the bail request is expected next Tuesday.
Kakwenza has pleaded not guilty to charges of "offensive communication," which refers to critical tweets about Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and his son.
His novel The Greedy Barbarian, which focused on high-level corruption in a fictional country, first drew attention from authorities; his subsequent book, Banana Republic: Where Writing is Treasonous, described the torture he endured and kept their focus on him.
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Categories: Today in Books