In downtown Kampala on Tuesday, Ugandan security forces detained several young individuals participating in a prohibited rally.
The protesters were demonstrating against what they claim to be widespread corruption and human rights abuses by the country’s leaders.
In downtown Kampala, a Reuters reporter observed police detaining young demonstrators at a banned rally. Video footage from NTV Uganda on X also captured the police arresting a group of protesters.
https://twitter.com/DailyMonitor/status/1815665011341041905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1815665011341041905%7Ctwgr%5Ec2c2e6625f1dbc93165bd8172191ccb0469da3ea%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublish.twitter.com%2F%3Furl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FDailyMonitor%2Fstatus%2F1815665011341041905
The demonstrators, brandishing signs and voicing slogans condemning corruption, included one person in a T-shirt that read “Speaker Must Resign.”
Authorities did not immediately release information on the number of individuals detained.
The planned protest was banned due to concerns that criminal elements might exploit the event to engage in looting and vandalism, according to intelligence reports.
To prevent any protests, soldiers and police have been stationed around the parliament building and throughout the heart of Kampala, the Ugandan capital.
All-access routes to the parliament were sealed off, allowing entry only for lawmakers and parliamentary staff. Images from NTV Uganda also depicted military armored personnel carriers patrolling the vicinity.
Businesses near the parliament were facing challenges reaching their premises. Edwin Mugisha, a local worker, described the situation to Reuters as “a war zone” due to the heavy military presence and patrols.
Authorities closed the offices of Uganda’s largest opposition party on Monday, alleging that it was behind the protests. Several party officials, including members of parliament, were detained during the crackdown.
The party maintained it had not organized the march but voiced its support for the demonstration.
Opposition leaders and human rights activists argue that corruption and the mismanagement of government funds are rampant in Uganda.
They accuse President Yoweri Museveni of failing to address these issues, particularly concerning high-ranking officials who are politically connected or related to him.
The authorities’ crackdown on protests and opposition activities has intensified, with claims of excessive measures being employed to suppress dissent and silence critics.
President Yoweri Museveni has consistently denied any tolerance of corruption.
He asserts that when adequate evidence is presented, those implicated, including lawmakers and ministers, are prosecuted.
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Nigeria, Egypt and others make list of African countries with highest IMF debts