On Tuesday, Ugandan security forces detained several young people in downtown Kampala who were participating in a banned rally against alleged rampant corruption and human rights abuses by the country’s rulers.
A video posted by NTV Uganda on the social media platform X showed police intercepting and detaining a small group of protesters marching through the streets.
The protesters, who carried placards and shouted slogans denouncing corruption, included one individual wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with “Speaker Must Resign.” The police spokesperson was not immediately available to confirm the number of people detained.
Authorities had banned the planned protest, citing intelligence that suggested criminal elements might hijack the event to engage in looting and vandalism. In response, soldiers and police were deployed around the parliament building and throughout the center of the capital to deter any potential protesters. All roads to the parliament were blocked, with access restricted to lawmakers and parliamentary staff only. Images from NTV Uganda showed military armored personnel carriers patrolling the area.
Business owners near the parliament faced significant challenges in accessing their premises. “It’s like a war zone,” Edwin Mugisha, a worker in Kampala said, describing the heightened security presence and military patrols.
On Monday, police had sealed off the offices of Uganda’s largest opposition party, accusing it of mobilising for the protests. Several party officials, including lawmakers, were detained. The opposition party denied organising the march but expressed support for it.
Opposition leaders and human rights activists have long accused President Yoweri Museveni of failing to address widespread embezzlement and misuse of government funds. They allege that Museveni protects corrupt senior officials who are politically loyal or related to him. Museveni has consistently denied these accusations, stating that whenever there is sufficient evidence, perpetrators—including lawmakers and ministers—are prosecuted.
The current crackdown on protesters and the opposition highlights the ongoing tensions in Uganda, where demands for accountability and transparency continue to clash with the government’s efforts to maintain control.
Melissa Enoch
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