On 13th, April 2020, shortly after the publication of his first novel, The Greedy Barbarian, Kakwenza was arrested at his home in Iganga by security agents, detained and tortured for a week, at the military barracks in Mbuya. He was then arraigned in court on the charge of "an act likely to spread the infection of disease (COVID-19), contrary to section 171 of the Penal Code Act, cap 120", and remanded in custody to Busesa government prison. The charge was subsequently dismissed by the magistrate for lack of witnesses. In BANANA REPUBLIC, Rukirabashaija describes his harrowing ordeal in the chambers of security agencies.