Barbara Allimadi
Barbara Allimadi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1972 Uganda |
| Died | 27 April 2020 (aged 48) |
| Education | Gayaza High School |
| Alma mater | London Metropolitan 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.
Early life
[edit]Allimadi was born in Uganda and her father was Eriphas Otema Allimadi,[1] the third Prime Minister of Uganda (1980–1985).[2] Her brother is Milton Allimadi, the journalist and newspaper founder.[3]
Allimadi was educated at Gayaza High School, before her family went into exile when the Obote II government was overthrown.[1] She studied for a degree in electronics and communications engineering at the London Metropolitan University.[4] Allimadi practiced engineering in England[1] and then returned to Uganda in 2007.[4]
Activism
[edit]In 2012, she co-organized a protest after Ingrid Turinawe, an opposition politician known as the "Iron Lady" of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC),[5] had her breast pulled and squeezed by a police officer and the assault was televised. This became known as the "bra protest" in Uganda.[4] 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."[3]
Also in 2012, she was arrested after staging a demonstration in parliament with the Concerned Citizens group and her t-shirts with anti-corruption slogans were confiscated.[6]
Allimadi was an activist for the political party FDC,[7] and in 2019 joined newly formed Alliance for National Transformation and became their International Affairs Secretary, coordinating Ugandans in the diaspora.[8][2]
Death and legacy
[edit]Allimadi was found dead in her home in Kiwaatule, Kampala on 27 April 2020.[9][10] The police opened an investigation into her death.[3][9]
The Barbra Allimadi Foundation was launched in her memory in 2021, to provide college and university scholarships to students, especially girls.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Taylor, Mildred Europa (2022-04-23). "Celebrating Barbara Allimadi, the Ugandan political activist known for her defiant bra protest". Face2Face Africa. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ a b c Dominic, Ochola O. "Barbra Allimadi Foundation Launched in Memory of Her Freedom Fighting Legacy :". Uganda Radionetwork. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ a b c "Ugandan Political Activist Barbara Allimadi Passes Away". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ a b c "Barbara Allimadi". AWID. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Tribute to fallen freedom fighter Barbara Allimadi". Uganda. 2021-05-02. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ Watch, Human Rights (2013-02-19). World Report 2013: Events of 2012. Seven Stories Press. p. 180. ISBN 978-1-60980-483-1.
- ^ "Political activist Barbara Allimadi reported dead". Monitor. 2020-07-19. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Allimadi hailed as justice defender". Monitor. 2020-07-19. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ a b "Police probe political activist Barbara Allimadi's death". Monitor. 2020-07-19. Retrieved 2025-02-16.
- ^ "Neighbours' account of Allimadi's last moments". Monitor. 2020-07-19. Retrieved 2025-02-16.