Authorities in Uganda deployed military and police on Tuesday around parliament and central Kampala, the capital, to prevent a youth-organised protest against the government.
Military armored vehicles were seen patrolling streets near parliament, as shown on NTV Uganda television, after police prohibited the protest, citing intelligence that suggested the event could be hijacked by criminals intent on looting and vandalism.
Access to roads leading to parliament was restricted, with security allowing entry only to lawmakers and parliamentary staff.
Business owners near parliament faced difficulties accessing their premises.
Edwin Mugisha, who works in Kampala, likened the scene around parliament and nearby roads to a “war zone,” referring to the heavy patrols.
Young Ugandans planned to march to parliament to protest alleged widespread corruption and human rights violations under President Yoweri Museveni’s government.
On Monday, police shut down the offices of the main opposition party, accusing it of mobilising for the protests, and detained some of its officials, including lawmakers.
The party denied organising the march but expressed support for it.
Opposition leaders and human rights activists have long accused Museveni of not prosecuting corrupt senior officials who are either politically loyal to him or related to him, claiming embezzlement and misuse of government funds are rampant in Uganda.
Museveni has consistently denied these accusations, asserting that those found guilty of corruption are prosecuted whenever there is sufficient evidence, including lawmakers and ministers.
Nancy Mbamalu
Source: Reuters
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