Renowned Ugandan human rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo has revealed that he has been battling serious health challenges since late last year, but says he is now on the path to recovery.
In a message shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, Opiyo disclosed that he has been in “terrible health” since November 2025, though he chose not to make the details of his condition public.
“While I will keep the details of my health condition private, I can promise the worst is behind me now. I am well on the way to better health and will be back in a few months,” he wrote.
He expressed gratitude to friends, colleagues, and supporters who stood by him during the difficult period, adding that he remains committed to his long-standing advocacy work.
“We’ll be back, babe, and ever so strong. We remain undaunted in our pursuit of justice, equality, and fairness,” he added.
Profile: A leading voice for civil liberties
Opiyo is widely regarded as one of Uganda’s most prominent human rights defenders. A lawyer by training, he is best known for founding and leading Chapter Four Uganda, a civil liberties organisation focused on defending human rights and promoting democratic governance.
Born in Gulu in northern Uganda in 1980, Opiyo grew up during the height of the Lord’s Resistance Army conflict—an experience that shaped his commitment to justice and the protection of vulnerable communities.
Over the years, he has built a reputation for handling high-profile constitutional and civil rights cases, including challenges to laws restricting freedoms of assembly and expression. He has also provided legal representation to marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ persons, often in highly sensitive and controversial cases.
His work has earned him international recognition, including the Human Rights Tulip Prize (2021), the German Africa Prize (2017), and awards from Human Rights Watch and the European Union.
Resilience amid personal challenges
Opiyo’s latest health update comes as he remains an influential figure in Uganda’s civic space, where he has spent nearly two decades advocating for civil liberties, often at personal and professional risk.
Despite stepping back temporarily due to illness, his message signals a return to activism in the near future.
Observers say his recovery will be closely watched within legal and human rights circles, where his voice has long been central to debates on justice, governance, and freedoms in Uganda.
