Da Dona
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- Dec 16, 2025
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Photo by AWIU
The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) has strongly condemned the treatment of Ugandan journalist and human rights activist Agather Atuhaire by Dutch immigration officers at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, saying the incident caused her severe emotional distress and led to her missing a connecting flight to Nairobi.
According to the Human Rights Foundation, Atuhaire was travelling from Oslo, Norway, where she had attended the 2026 Oslo Freedom Forum, and was transiting through Amsterdam on her way to Nairobi. Upon arrival at Schiphol Airport, Dutch immigration officials reportedly questioned the authenticity of her Ugandan passport and temporarily confiscated it for verification.
The passport was reportedly returned after about 30 minutes, but by then Atuhaire had missed her connecting flight. She was later rebooked onto another flight scheduled to depart 24 hours later. The Human Rights Foundation says neither immigration officials nor airline staff offered an apology for the disruption.
The organisation further claims she was not provided accommodation and was instead asked whether she intended to pay for a hotel room herself or remain at the airport.
In statements shared after the incident, Atuhaire described the experience as deeply distressing. She said she initially tried to express her frustration but suddenly experienced chest pains, collapsed, and began shaking and crying uncontrollably. She attributed the reaction to trauma stemming from her widely publicised detention and alleged torture in Tanzania in 2025.
The Human Rights Foundation said the airport encounter triggered memories of that ordeal and resulted in a severe trauma response.
Atuhaire also suggested the incident may have involved racial profiling. She questioned why officials appeared to assume her passport was suspicious before properly examining it and expressed concern that similar treatment could be experienced by other African travellers. She confirmed that a formal complaint had already been filed and said she hoped authorities would ensure no one else is subjected to similar treatment.
The Human Rights Foundation has called for a full investigation into the incident and is demanding apologies and compensation from both Dutch immigration authorities and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for the emotional distress and inconvenience caused. The organisation argues that officials should have exercised greater care, particularly given Atuhaire's well-known history as a human rights defender who has previously endured detention and alleged abuse while carrying out her work.
As of the latest reports, neither Dutch immigration authorities nor KLM Royal Dutch Airlines had publicly responded to the allegations.
📸: Ugandan journalist Agather Atuhaire wins 2023 EU Human Rights Defenders' Award, image courtesy of EU in UG