Refrain from weaponising the law against political dissent

Tanzania’s Tundu Lissu (left) and Uganda’s Kizza Besigye are on the same side of the dock, charged with treason.

Photo credit: Reuters

There is something deeply troubling about the growing use of criminal law to deal with political dissent across East Africa. From Uganda to Tanzania and Zambia, serious charges, including treason, are increasingly featuring in cases involving political opponents.

This raises a larger question: Is the law increasingly being used to protect the state, or to protect those who control it?