In a deeply emotional and somber statement released on social media, Ugandan author and human rights activist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija has accused his former partner, Ms. Anne Whitehead, of subjecting him to sustained cyberbullying and reputational attacks over the past three years.
Rukirabashaija, a celebrated novelist known for his outspoken criticism of authoritarianism and his harrowing account of torture in Uganda, described a painful personal ordeal involving what he called “jilted and irrational accusations” leveled against him by Whitehead—once a woman he loved and who, he says, cared for him in the darkest moments of his exile in Germany.
“She cared for me when I was on the deathbed with dermatological ulcerations, PTSD, and broken bones,” he wrote, referring to the aftermath of torture he endured before fleeing Uganda. “I loved her with all my heart until things fell apart, and I respected that without exchanging recriminations.”
Rukirabashaija claims Whitehead has made serious and false accusations, including rape and abuse, and has contacted various organizations to sever support ties with him—actions he believes were intended to sabotage both his legal career and literary standing.
He also alleges that she coordinated with other women to file similar claims, which he says were ultimately dismissed and led to state compensation.
The writer expressed frustration with what he calls “irrational Me Too populism,” warning against a trend where personal fallouts morph into public defamation, especially targeting prominent men.
“We are tired of prejudice against innocent men,” he wrote. “When a man is a public figure, does it mean he cannot fall in love… and have freedom to terminate the relationship when it doesn’t align with his vision?”
Despite the hurt and damage, Rukirabashaija ended his statement with a public gesture of forgiveness: “Either way, I publicly forgive her, and I hope that wherever she trades lies about me, they’re aware.”
The situation underscores the painful intersection of private lives and public scrutiny, especially for individuals whose advocacy work already places them in political and social crosshairs.
Rukirabashaija’s statement has sparked a wave of reactions online—some supportive, others critical—reflecting the complex, emotionally charged nature of personal allegations in the digital age.
