Tensions flared in Kampala as police detained dozens of anti-corruption protesters, defying a ban on demonstrations. The capital saw a heavy deployment of police and military forces, creating an atmosphere likened to a “war zone” by local workers.
Protesters, many of them young Ugandans, voiced their frustration with widespread corruption, calling for the resignation of Parliament Speaker Anita Among, who faces graft allegations. The demonstrations, organized through social media under the hashtag #StopCorruption, reflect growing discontent among the country’s youth.
Despite the crackdown, some protesters remained defiant, emphasizing their constitutional right to demonstrate. However, authorities maintained a firm stance, with a police spokesman citing concerns over peace and security.
The protests come in the wake of President Yoweri Museveni’s warning that demonstrators were “playing with fire.” Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades, faces accusations of failing to prosecute corrupt officials within his inner circle.
Human rights groups have condemned the arrests, viewing them as indicative of the current state of civil liberties in Uganda. The situation highlights the ongoing struggle between a populace demanding accountability and a government resistant to public dissent.
As the day unfolded, the capital remained under tight security, with roadblocks and anti-riot police visible throughout the city center. The events underscore the deep-rooted challenges facing Uganda in addressing corruption and maintaining political stability.