Police were out in force on the deserted streets of Kampala, Uganda’s capital, on Tuesday in anticipation of a planned anti-corruption rally that authorities had banned. President Yoweri Museveni, who has governed the East African country with an iron fist for nearly four decades, warned demonstrators over the weekend that they were “playing with fire.”
On Monday evening, police remanded three opposition lawmakers in custody, following opposition leader Bobi Wine’s statement that his National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters was “under siege” by police and army officers.
The anti-corruption movement, inspired by the predominantly Gen-Z-led protests in neighboring Kenya that have shaken the country for the past month, was organized online.
“We are the youths and heart of our country and we are not letting down our country,” leading Ugandan protester Shamim Nambasa told AFP on Monday.
Posters shared online ahead of the rallies urged demonstrators to “march on parliament.” However, police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke stated that authorities would “not allow a demonstration that will risk the peace and security of the country.
” According to AFP journalists, roadblocks were set up on mostly quiet streets in the capital, particularly near Kampala’s business district, with officers in anti-riot gear and some in camouflage uniforms heavily manning the area. A significant police presence also remained around the NUP headquarters, an AFP journalist reported.
On Monday, police detained three lawmakers from the opposition group for “various offences” and remanded them to prison, though the police spokesperson did not provide details on the charges.
Opposition leader Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, had called for support for the rallies, stating, “We want a country where we all belong, not just for the few in power.” A NUP spokesperson confirmed that legislators Francis Zaake, Charles Tebandeke, and Hassan Kirumira, along with seven others connected to the party, had been detained.
Tuesday’s march was organized on social media by young Ugandans using the hashtag #StopCorruption. Corruption is a significant issue in Uganda, with numerous major scandals involving public officials. The country is ranked 141 out of 180 on Transparency International’s corruption index.
