Dozens of people have been detained in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, after participating in anti-corruption protests despite an official ban.
Approximately 60 individuals, including a prominent TV presenter and three young protest leaders, were swiftly brought before the courts and remanded in custody following a march to the country’s parliament on Tuesday, according to lawyers.
President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for nearly four decades, had issued a stern warning prior to the event, stating that protesters were “playing with fire.”
The march, organized on social media, was fueled by growing anger over long-standing corruption allegations involving several high-profile public officials.
The protests were partly inspired by recent demonstrations in neighboring Kenya, which pressured President William Ruto to drop proposed tax increases.
The police had previously announced that they would not permit the march and would prevent any demonstration that threatened Uganda’s “peace and security.” On Tuesday, riot officers were seen manning roadblocks, while security forces sealed off roads and guarded the parliament building.
“We are tired of corruption,” protester Samson Kiriya told AFP news agency through the bars of a van after being arrested.
Those detained included well-known television and radio presenter Faiza Salima as well as three protest organisers – George Victor Otieno, Kennedy Ndyamuhaki, and Aloikin Praise Opoloje.
Bernard Oundo, president of the Uganda Law Society, said one hearing saw 50 people charged.
“This was a rushed trial. They were arrested and taken to court in a very short time and remanded to prison without securing them bail,” he said.
“We will ensure these people receive justice.”
On the eve of the march, Uganda’s main opposition leader, Bobi Wine, said security forces had besieged the Kampala headquarters of his National Unity Platform party.
He said some of his party officials had been “violently arrested” and that the offices had been turned into “military barracks”.
Writing on X following the march, Mr Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, said: “Salutations to all who have courageously marched and are still marching against corruption and misrule – even in the face of very brutal actions by the military and police!
“The cowards have been picking up young people whose only crime is lifting a placard.”
He added that legal and welfare teams would be made available to those who needed them.
Earlier this year, the UK and US imposed sanctions on a number of Ugandan officials, including parliament speaker Anita Among and three former or serving ministers, over alleged involvement in corruption.
