On Tuesday, Kampala’s streets were heavily policed and mostly empty as Ugandan authorities moved to prevent a planned anti-corruption rally. President Yoweri Museveni, who has led Uganda for nearly four decades, had warned protestors against the demonstration, calling it a dangerous provocation.
The rally was organized online, inspired by recent youth-led protests in Kenya. Leading protester Shamim Nambasa expressed determination on Monday, saying, “We are the youths and heart of our country and we are not letting down our country.” However, police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke declared that the authorities would not permit any demonstration that could threaten national peace and security.
Journalists reported roadblocks and a significant police presence, especially near Kampala’s business district and around the headquarters of the National Unity Platform (NUP), the opposition party led by Bobi Wine. Wine had accused police and army officers of besieging the NUP headquarters on Monday.
Late Monday, three opposition lawmakers were remanded in custody. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, had urged support for the rallies, emphasizing a vision for a more inclusive country. The detained lawmakers, identified as Francis Zaake, Charles Tebandeke, and Hassan Kirumira, along with seven other NUP affiliates, were arrested on undisclosed charges.
The hashtag #StopCorruption was used by young Ugandans on social media to organize the protest. Corruption is a significant issue in Uganda, which ranks 141st out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s corruption index, with numerous scandals involving public officials.
