Kampala: On Tuesday, Ugandan security forces detained several young protesters in downtown Kampala who were participating in a banned rally. The demonstration was organized to address allegations of rampant corruption and human rights abuses by the government.
A Reuters witness observed the detentions, and a video posted by NTV Uganda on the X social media platform captured police intercepting and detaining a group of young protesters who were marching with placards and chanting slogans denouncing corruption. One protester wore a T-shirt emblazoned with “Speaker Must Resign”.
The exact number of detainees was not immediately available, as the police spokesperson could not be reached for comment. The protest was banned by authorities, who cited intelligence reports indicating that criminal elements might exploit the rally to loot and vandalize.
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To prevent further unrest, soldiers and police have been stationed around the parliament building and central Kampala. Roads leading to the parliament have been blocked off, restricting access to lawmakers and parliamentary staff. Images from NTV Uganda showed military armoured personnel carriers patrolling the area.
Local business owners near parliament faced significant disruptions accessing their premises due to the heightened security measures. Edwin Mugisha, a worker in Kampala, described the situation as “like a war zone” in reference to the military presence.
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On Monday, police had sealed off the offices of Uganda’s largest opposition party, accusing it of organizing the protest and detaining several party officials, including lawmakers. The opposition party denied organizing the march but expressed support for the protest’s objectives.
Opposition leaders and human rights activists have long criticized President Yoweri Museveni for failing to address widespread embezzlement and misuse of government funds. They accuse him of protecting corrupt senior officials who are politically loyal or related to him. President Museveni has consistently denied condoning corruption, asserting that when there is sufficient evidence, culprits, including lawmakers and ministers, are prosecuted.
