Kampala Woman Member of Parliament Shamim Malende has been arrested by police shortly after landing at Entebbe Airport from the hospital abroad where she has been receiving medical treatment.  Malende has, for the biggest part of her term as an MP, been in the hospital, especially in Nairobi.

During her absence, many political and legal developments have occurred in Uganda, including the passage of the UPDF Amendment Act that greenlights the trial of civilians in the military courts. On Monday, she landed at Entebbe Airport, where she was welcomed by her supporters dressed in orange attire.

Malende and supporters then attempted to march to Kampala in what she described as a “peaceful protest” over violation of human rights by the government and the Parliament’s passage of laws that “oppress” government critics.

“Today, I have returned but not in the usual way due to the [political] environment in our country. Wherever we have been, we have closely followed what is happening in Uganda. Many times, we have issued statements condemning oppressive laws passed in Parliament and the ongoing human rights violations,” she said before her arrest. 

Malende returned to the country with her head shaved bald, which she said is part of the protest against the government.

“Today, I return with a message of peaceful protest. This protest includes my decision to shave my head bald and wear attire that resembles a prison uniform. I do this to show solidarity with political prisoners—innocent people who continue to languish in jail,” she said.

Furthermore, the Kampala woman lawmaker said her protest aims to show solidarity with government critics who have been illegally arrested and held in ungazetted detention facilities, tortured, and denied medical treatment. 

“I call on all oppressed Ugandans to protest as I have done and to stand in solidarity with all political prisoners. If you can shave your head in protest—even if you are not physically in jail—do it,” she said.

Whenever Malende left for treatment abroad, she appeared frail and unable to walk without support. NUP party members and officials who visited her in the hospital released photos showing her bedridden and extremely weak.

Her energetic return has sparked debate on social media, with some questioning why she has returned with such strength during the political season.

“It’s true that Shamim Malende’s term has been largely defined by illness and time away for treatment. While that is understandable on a personal level. Who does this politics of disappearance and reappearance really serve? For many constituents, it is not just about protest outfits or symbolism. When leaders go quiet for long and then suddenly reappear, it is only natural for the public to wonder if their return is genuine or just another familiar political playbook tactic,” one social media user, Pamela Achom Isamat, posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account.

Multiple NUP members have expressed interest in challenging her in the 2026 general elections.

By ChimpReports