KAMPALA, Uganda — Ugandan presidential advisor and outspoken political activist Jennifer Nakangubi, widely known as Full Figure, has been hospitalized after being waylaid and beaten by unidentified individuals.
The assault has prompted her allies to allege it was orchestrated by political rivals whom she regularly insults on social media.
According to Police, Full Figure reported that she was intercepted and attacked on Friday, August 29, 2025, along Kyadondo Road while on her way to a hotel for a press conference organized by Central Executive Committee contestant Moses Kalangwa.
The assailants, whom she identified as Justin Nameere, the Masaka District Woman MP flag bearer for the NRM party, and her husband, allegedly beat her before stealing her phone and Shs 500,000.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson SSP Patrick Onyango confirmed that the case had been formally registered. “She reported a case of robbery at Kampala Metropolitan Police headquarters, where her statement was recorded and witnesses identified,” Onyango said.
He added that detectives had already begun work on the case, stating, “Our officers visited the crime scene and are actively tracking down the suspects. We want to assure the public that the matter is being handled seriously and investigations are ongoing.”
The violent assault, captured on video and circulated widely online, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed conversations about political intimidation and violence in the lead-up to Uganda’s 2026 elections.
A video clip shows Full Figure being repeatedly punched and kicked by a man draped in NRM attire, while onlookers—including purported associates of the aggressor—cheer and record the assault.
In a separate video, two unidentified men launch a savage attack on her in a public street, landing heavy blows while a woman filming demands to know why she continues to “insult” them.
Following the assault, Full Figure was hospitalized with visible injuries, including a swollen and bruised face, shut eyes, and damaged lips, as evidenced in social media photos from her hospital bed.
The attack has drawn condemnation from political figures and civil society leaders alike.
In response to the incident, fellow presidential advisor and events promoter Balaam Barugahara condemned the attack, calling for the perpetrators to face justice.
“The individuals who physically assaulted my boss Presidential Assistant Madam Full Figure should face arrest and rehabilitation at Basement Academy. Violence against women is unacceptable and requires immediate attention. Such actions have severe consequences, both physically and emotionally, and undermine the dignity of women in positions of power,” he said.
Former minister Capt. Mike Mukula also weighed in, calling the incident a sign of growing impunity.
“Extra-judicial violence, impunity and gangster behavior must be stopped immediately and the law must take its course,” Capt. Mike Mukula wrote. He described the incident as “unacceptable,” calling on authorities—including the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of Internal Affairs—to take action.
Full Figure, known for her provocative online outbursts and aggressive attacks on political opponents, has long been a controversial figure.
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She has built a reputation as a fearless socio-political commentator, unafraid to critique political figures and engage audiences on her television appearances and social media platforms.
Some observers argue her bold style may have made her a target. The national discourse around this incident has been sharply divided: while many condemn the brutality of the attack, others criticize her for the aggressive language she uses against public figures.
Analysts say the incident highlights rising political intolerance ahead of Uganda’s 2026 elections, where online influence and aggressive rhetoric have become central to mobilization strategies.
Police say a manhunt for Nameere and her husband is underway. With mounting pressure from both the public and high-profile figures, authorities may face growing demand to act swiftly.
The silence raises concern among civil rights advocates, who worry about diminishing tolerance for dissent and rising political violence.
