Barbara Allimadi
Barbara Allimadi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1972 Uganda |
| Died | 27 April 2020 (aged 48) |
| Education | Gayaza High School |
| Alma mater | London Metropolitan University Makerere University |
| Occupation(s) | politician and human rights activist |
| Political party | Forum for Democratic Change, Alliance for National Transformation |
| Father | Otema Allimadi |
| Relatives | Milton Allimadi (brother) |
| Website | https://www.barbaraallimadifoundation.org/ |
Barbara Ann Allimadi (c. 1972 – 27 April 2020) was a Ugandan politician and human rights activist. She was known for organising the "bra protest" and for her arrest after staging a demonstration in parliament with the Concerned Citizens group.
Early life
Allimadi was born in Uganda and her parents were Eriphas Otema Allimadi,[1] the third Prime Minister of Uganda (1980–1985), and Alice Lamunu Allimadi.[2][3] She was one of her fathers seventeen children.[3] Her brother is Milton Allimadi, the professor, journalist and newspaper founder.[4]
Allimadi was educated at Gayaza High School, before her family went into exile when the Obote II government was overthrown.[1][3] She studied for a degree in electronics and communications engineering at the London Metropolitan University.[5] Allimadi practiced engineering in England,[1] then returned to Uganda in 2007.[5]
Activism
In 2012, Allimadi co-organized a protest after Ingrid Turinawe, an opposition politician known as the "Iron Lady" of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC),[6] had her breast pulled and squeezed by a police officer and the assault was televised. The protest marched to Kampala Central Police Station and became known as the "bra protest" in Uganda.[3][5] Allimadi said that "I was seriously offended that a police force that is supposed to protect us had assaulted a woman in front of everyone."[4]
Also in 2012, Allimadi was arrested after staging a demonstration in parliament with the Concerned Citizens group and her t-shirts with anti-corruption slogans were confiscated.[7]
Allimadi was an activist for the political party FDC,[8] and in 2019 joined newly formed Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and became their International Affairs Secretary, coordinating Ugandans in the diaspora.[9][2] She achieved a masters degree from Makerere University and was planning to travel abroad for her ANT role shortly before her death in 2020.[10]
Death and legacy
Allimadi was found dead in her home in Kiwaatule, Kampala on 27 April 2020.[11][12][13] The police opened an investigation into her death.[4][11][14] Mugisha Muntu, national coordinator of the ANT, spoke at her funeral.[10]
The Barbara Allimadi Foundation was launched in her memory in 2021, to provide college and university scholarships to students, especially girls.[2]
References
- ^ a b c Taylor, Mildred Europa (23 April 2022). "Celebrating Barbara Allimadi, the Ugandan political activist known for her defiant bra protest". Face2Face Africa. Archived from the original on 20 July 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ a b c Dominic, Ochola O. "Barbra Allimadi Foundation Launched in Memory of Her Freedom Fighting Legacy". Uganda Radionetwork. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ a b c d Dominic, Ochola O. "Rights Activists in Acholi Mourn Barbara Alimadi :". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "Ugandan Political Activist Barbara Allimadi Passes Away". OkayAfrica. Archived from the original on 23 January 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ a b c "Barbara Allimadi". AWID. Archived from the original on 13 January 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ "Tribute to fallen freedom fighter Barbara Allimadi". Uganda. 2 May 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ Watch, Human Rights (19 February 2013). World Report 2013: Events of 2012. Seven Stories Press. p. 180. ISBN 978-1-60980-483-1.
- ^ "Political activist Barbara Allimadi reported dead". Monitor. 19 July 2020. Archived from the original on 29 May 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ "Allimadi hailed as justice defender". Monitor. 19 July 2020. Archived from the original on 29 May 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ a b "At Barbara Allimadi's Funeral, Party Leader Muntu Urges Ugandans to fight Political Coronavirus". Black Star News. 3 May 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Police probe political activist Barbara Allimadi's death". Monitor. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ "Neighbours' account of Allimadi's last moments". Monitor. 19 July 2020. Archived from the original on 29 May 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ Habib, Ashraf (28 April 2020). "GONE TOO SOON: Family of fallen Barbara Allimadi hail her as activist, a champion of justice and democracy in Uganda". Galaxy FM 100.2. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ Kirabo, Jonah. "Police starts investigation into sudden death of opposition activist, Barbara Allimadi". Nilepost News. Retrieved 21 July 2025.