Ugandan security forces detained several young demonstrators on Tuesday in downtown Kampala as they participated in a prohibited rally decrying what they describe as pervasive corruption and human rights violations under the nation’s leadership.
According to a Reuters witness, the detentions occurred during a march, while footage from NTV Uganda on the X social media platform depicted police intercepting and apprehending a small group of youths.
The protesters, carrying placards and chanting slogans condemning corruption, included individuals wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the message “Speaker Must Resign.”
A police spokesperson could not comment on the number of detentions made immediately.
Authorities had earlier banned the scheduled protest, citing intelligence suggesting potential criminal elements aimed to exploit the gathering for looting and vandalism.
Security personnel, including soldiers, were deployed around Kampala’s parliament and city centre to deter potential demonstrators. Access to parliament was restricted, with military armoured vehicles observed patrolling the area, as per images from NTV Uganda.
Local businesses faced disruptions, with some employees struggling to access their workplaces.
“It’s like a war zone,” remarked Edwin Mugisha, a Kampala resident, to Reuters, alluding to the heavy military presence.
On Monday, police sealed off offices belonging to Uganda’s main opposition party, alleging the party was mobilizing for the protests and detained several officials, including lawmakers. The party denied organizing the rally but affirmed its support for it.
Critics, including opposition leaders and rights advocates, allege widespread embezzlement and misappropriation of government funds in Uganda. They have long accused President Yoweri Museveni of shielding politically connected or family-related senior officials from prosecution over corruption allegations.
