Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | On Tuesday, Ugandan security forces detained dozens of young, peaceful protesters who attempted to march to the Parliament building to protest high-level corruption. Authorities declared the demonstrations illegal.
Police and military personnel were heavily deployed throughout Kampala, where small groups of protesters had assembled.
In some instances, police used force to remove activists and load them onto trucks, a common tactic used to disperse demonstrations involving opposition leaders and others.
The protests were inspired by recent actions in neighbouring Kenya, where demonstrations successfully pressured President William Ruto to dismiss nearly his entire cabinet in response to strong opposition against proposed new taxes.
In Uganda, public outrage has been fueled by growing allegations of corruption involving Parliament Speaker Anita Among. Despite online revelations of questionable spending by her office and associates, Among has refused to resign.
Among, a prominent figure in Uganda’s ruling party, has recently faced sanctions from both the U.S. and the U.K. She denies any wrongdoing, with her supporters arguing that she is being unfairly targeted in a nation where corruption is widespread among officials.
An official investigation is currently underway to examine the source of her wealth and allegations that she misused parliamentary resources.
Dozens of young, peaceful anti-corruption protesters arrested
The first group who tried to march to Parliament early morning, comprising of Makerere University students, were arrested on Nasser Road. Shortly afterward, another group of students from the Islamic University of Uganda (IUIU) was also arrested on Parliamentary Avenue, few meters from Parliament building.
“Anita Among must go, we’re tired of corruption in Uganda!” the protesters chanted as they are being bundled into the police van by the anti-riot police personnel at Parliament Avenue, before being whisked away.”
In a bid to thwart planned anti-corruption protests, security forces intensified their presence at major junctions and roundabouts leading to Kampala, particularly those towards the Parliament premises.
Some of the protestors also emerged from Arua Park in the Central Business District of Kampala to face the heavily armed police and the military police.
Despite the heavy police presence, protesters, some carrying the Ugandan flag, continued to gather in smaller groups. While they chanted and demanded the resignation of the Speaker of Parliament, their demonstrations remained largely peaceful. The protesters complied calmly with the police.
Some protestors willingly boarded the police patrol cars, while uniformed and plainclothes officers detained others. On Parliamentary Avenue, some of those arrested sat on the streets while chanting.
Meanwhile, Teams from the Uganda Law Society are stationed at various police stations to assist activists arrested during today’s anti-corruption protests.
Some among those detained by police while preparing to march to Parliament in Kampala are social media influencer Bernard Ewalu (Beewol), NTV Uganda and KFM Radio presenter Faiza Fabz, comedian Reign Omusoyisoyi (Maulanareign), and former Makerere Guild President Papa Were.
“We’ve been arrested at oasis mall,” Beewol tweeted before being taken to Jinja Road Police station.
Others are; former Rubaga South MP candidate and activist Habib Buwembo, and comedian Samuel Okanya, alias Sammy.
Anti-riot police quickly intervened, gathering the protesters and escorting them into waiting patrol cars.
Kampala is currently under tight security with armored vehicles and personnel patrolling the streets.
Also Read: Can Ugandans mobilize Kenya-style anti-government protests?
Key roads leading to Parliament, including Kimathi Avenue, King George VI Street, Siadi Barre, and Nile Avenues, have been blocked. Additionally, De Winton Road is also cordoned off by security deployments.
Public vehicles face restrictions, but pedestrians are allowed to pass through checkpoints. The increased security measures are noticeable at all major junctions.
Protest organizers reported being forced to change their meeting venues due to security forces occupying the railway grounds, where they initially planned to gather. Field Force Unit, military police, and other UPDF officers were seen searching shops at Garden City and nearby buildings for protester gathering points.
The crackdown on protesters has raised concerns about the government’s stance on free speech and assembly.
The demonstrations aim to highlight corruption and demand accountability from public officials.
The protesters have presented several demands, including the resignation of Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and the four backbench commissioners. They are also calling for a reduction in the number of Ugandan MPs, an audit of MPs’ lifestyles, and the resignation of any MPs implicated in corruption scandals. Additionally, they seek to lower MPs’ salaries and allowances to a maximum of Shs3 million.
Corruption remains a significant problem in Uganda, with numerous high-profile scandals involving public officials. The country ranks 141 out of 180 on Transparency International’s corruption index.
However, President Museveni, in his speech on Saturday, warned the youth against protesting.
