In a series of incidents near Parliament Avenue, anti-corruption protesters were arrested, escalating tensions in Kampala.
The initial arrests involved Makerere University students on Nasser Road, followed shortly by the detention of the Islamic University of Uganda (IUIU) students near Parliament Avenue.
Chanting slogans like “Anita Among must go, we’re tired of corruption in Uganda!” the protesters were swiftly bundled into police vans by anti-riot personnel. “
The arrests occurred amidst heightened security, with armoured vehicles and personnel patrolling the streets. Key roads, including Kimathi Avenue, King George VL Street, Siadi Barre, and Nile Avenues, were blocked, restricting public vehicles while allowing pedestrian access through checkpoints.
Organizers of the protests faced challenges as security forces occupied intended meeting venues, forcing a change of plans. Law enforcement, including military police, was seen searching shops in Garden City for protesters.
The crackdown has raised concerns about the government’s stance on free speech and assembly. The demonstrations aim to draw attention to corruption and demand accountability from public officials. However, in his speech on Saturday President Museveni warned the youth not to protest.
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) attempted to intervene, but lawyers led by ULS President Bernard Oundo were blocked from accessing the Central Police Station in Kampala. Despite visiting multiple police stations, they were denied entry.
ULS Board Member in Charge of Healthcare and Benevolent Fund Phillip Munaabi criticized the state’s actions, emphasizing the right to legal representation. Munaabi says if the protestors are demanding the resignation of one person, then that person should resign to restore normalcy.
Lawyer Ronald Samuel Wanda said they are mobilising more lawyers to help the arrested and vowed that they remain around until all the arrested are produced in court. Oundo said they want to continue negotiating to be allowed to access the Central Police Station.
Most of the lawyers gathered outside Buganda Road Court, while Military Police were seen entering shops along the street, checking for possible protesters hiding or planning activities.
The blocking of the lawyers occurred shortly after several citizens mobilized on various platforms to participate in anti-corruption protests.
Many protesters on the streets of Kampala held placards demanding the resignation of Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among over allegations of corruption.
Some of the protesters emerged from Arua Park in the Central Business District of Kampala to face heavily armed police and military police.
The UPDF also deployed armoured vehicles that patrolled the streets in a carefully arranged formation.
Despite the heavy deployment, protesters, some carrying the Uganda flag, continued to emerge in smaller groups. Apart from chanting and calling for the Speaker of Parliament to resign, the protesters remained peaceful, cooperating with police during arrests.
Some protesters accepted to board the police patrol cars voluntarily, while uniformed and plain-clothed officers bundled others in. Along Parliamentary Avenue, some of those arrested sat on the streets while chanting.
Anti-riot police swiftly grabbed and bundled the protesters into waiting police patrol cars.
For weeks, Gen-Z protesters had been planning the “walk to Parliament” demonstration to express their frustration with corruption in the Ugandan Parliament. The police, warning against the march, claimed to have intelligence indicating it was a political procession.
Some of the youth, armed with smartphones, captured images of their colleagues being arrested and shared the photographs on social media showing who was arrested and their location.
Amidst the crackdown, anti-corruption protests continued, with demonstrators carrying placards demanding the resignation of Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among over corruption allegations. Several MPs and KCCA politicians spent a night in jail related to the protests.
President Museveni had previously warned the youth against protesting, but the protesters persisted, facing heavy security deployments.
The protests, driven by mounting allegations of corruption against Anita Among and other officials, have highlighted frustrations with the current administration.
In a related development, the Uganda Prisons Services did not produce suspects in Kampala and Wakiso District Courts, citing precautionary measures due to anticipated protests.
Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine stated that the decision was to ensure the safety of prisoners and staff.
Many courts in Kampala City Centre that host criminal sessions were found with no business regarding old files for accused persons who were already on remand and expected to be produced before the courts.
These courts include the Anti-Corruption Court, City Hall Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, and Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court, where it was established that criminal business was at a standstill, with some relaxation at court. However, the registration of new criminal cases was ongoing.
Some sources, who are not authorized to speak on behalf of the Uganda Prison Services, indicated this was part of precautionary measures due to anticipated protests in Kampala. “Much as I am not sure why courts are not deployed, it could be a necessary precaution for ensuring the safety of prisoners and staff, which is our cardinal role,” said one source.
Another source added, “It is reckless to deploy courts when security is being threatened by the possible outcome of the protest if it happens.”
Baine said they advised the OCs of different prisons not to take suspects to courts of law to avoid further escalation. “We have not operated in Kampala and Wakiso courts today. But in other places which are less volatile, people have gone to court,” said Baine. Asked if they feared the anticipated protests against corruption, Baine denied this. “We have not feared protests,” he said.
“But we have taken precautions. You know ours is to protect and secure the safe custody of offenders. Even if you have guns, you don’t walk to the lions saying that I will shoot you. Avoiding conflicts is much better.”
He noted that they had notified the stakeholders, who understood the decision. According to Baine, only Wakiso and Kampala courts were affected, while elsewhere, they are working normally.
The protests and subsequent arrests have underscored the growing discontent with corruption in Uganda, with citizens calling for accountability and transparency from public officials.
