Dr. Lina Zedriga Waru, the National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy President for Northern Uganda, has been released on bail after spending over a month in detention on charges of inciting violence.

The Gulu Chief Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Chief Magistrate Augustine Alule Koma, granted her bail this afternoon.

She was released on a cash bail of UGX 1 million, with four sureties each bonded at a non-cash bail of UGX 10 million.

Dr. Zedriga, a 64-year-old lawyer, former magistrate, and prominent social justice activist, appeared in court for her bail hearing earlier today.

The state had opposed the application, arguing that her sureties were unstable and that she might interfere with ongoing investigations. The defence successfully countered these claims, leading to her release.

Dr. Zedriga was reportedly picked up by armed men in military attire from her home on January 16, 2026.

For nearly three weeks, she was held incommunicado, with security agencies, including the UPDF, publicly denying any knowledge of her whereabouts.

She resurfaced on February 6, 2026, when she was arraigned without prior notice to her lawyers at the Gulu Chief Magistrate’s Court.

She was charged with incitement to violence contrary to Section 79(1) of the Penal Code Act.

Prosecutors allege that in December 2025, she made statements in various locations across Northern Uganda—including Gulu, Amuru, Omoro, and Nwoya districts—urging members of the public to attack supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) on the basis of their political affiliation.

Dr. Zedriga has consistently denied the charges.

On February 6, she was remanded to Gulu Main Prison.

A subsequent court appearance on February 17 via video link from prison saw her defence team, led by NUP Secretary for Legal Affairs Jonathan Elotu, file a formal bail application with four proposed sureties.

The state requested more time to verify the sureties’ documents (including national IDs and LC1 introductory letters), prompting the magistrate to remand her until today’s hearing.

NUP officials through the party’s official X account posted: “Our Deputy President for Northern Uganda, Dr. Lina Zedriga has been granted a cash bail of UGX 1million at the Gulu Chief Magistrate’s Court. Grateful to our legal team for their support and efforts.”

Her lead lawyer, Jonathan Elotu, confirmed the outcome and thanked the team involved.

Supporters on social media hailed it as “Free at last,” with many calling for the release of other political prisoners.

This development comes amid a series of similar cases involving NUP leaders. Just days earlier, the party’s Vice President for Western Uganda, Jolly Jacklyn Tukamushaba, was also granted bail on comparable incitement charges.

Dr. Zedriga is expected to report back to court as the case proceeds.

Her release marks a significant moment for NUP supporters, who have maintained that the charges are politically motivated.