Matthew Kanyamunyu. Photo/Courtesy
Businessman and former legislator Matthew Kanyamunyu has cautioned citizens against engaging in disruptive activities during the upcoming elections, describing imprisonment as a psychologically devastating experience.
Kanyamunyu, who has spent five New Year’s days behind bars between 2017 and 2024, shared a grim account of prison life, emphasizing its severe mental and emotional toll.
“The psychology and fate of a prisoner slated to spend a while there is almost the same,” he said, highlighting the fear and suffering that define daily life in detention.
He described the extreme pressures inmates face, particularly those with pre-existing fears or anxieties.
Claustrophobia, he said, is intensified in confinement, while the fear of losing one’s mind can lead to complete psychological disintegration.
Kanyamunyu also warned that prisoners may be exposed to abuse targeting their personal vulnerabilities, dismissing the notion that one gradually adjusts to incarceration.
“In prison, fear consolidates, and psychological injury accumulates indefinitely with ongoing catastrophic consequences,” he noted.
The Ugandan businessman urged citizens to carefully assess their motives ahead of the elections.
“Think twice before you are used. Interrogate your aims and motivations; Nga kiki enyoo? Why hurt yourself over a losing wager?” he asked, appealing to the public to avoid being exploited in political conflicts.
Kanyamunyu’s remarks come amid concerns over potential election-related unrest in Uganda, with authorities warning of strict enforcement against anyone inciting or participating in violence.
By sharing his firsthand experience, he seeks to deter potential offenders and encourage reflection on the personal consequences of actions that could lead to imprisonment during Uganda’s electoral period.