Dozens of people have been arrested in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, following anti-corruption protests despite an official ban.
About 60 people, including a well-known TV presenter and three young protest leaders, were quickly taken to court and placed in custody after a march on the parliament on Tuesday.
President Yoweri Museveni, who has led Uganda for nearly 40 years, warned that protesters were “playing with fire” before the march.
The demonstration, organized on social media, was sparked by ongoing corruption allegations against high-profile public officials.
The protests were partly inspired by recent demonstrations in Kenya that led President William Ruto to cancel planned tax increases. Ugandan police had previously refused permission for the march, citing concerns about peace and security.
On Tuesday, riot officers set up roadblocks, and security forces surrounded the parliament building. Photos from the scene showed marchers holding signs saying “Stop corruption” and calling the parliament a “den of thieves.” Some signs read, “We are peaceful protesters.” Other images showed protesters being pushed into riot vans by police.
“We are tired of corruption,” protester Samson Kiriya told AFP news agency from the back of a police van after his arrest.
Those detained included TV and radio presenter Faiza Salima, along with protest organizers George Victor Otieno, Kennedy Ndyamuhaki, and Aloikin Praise Opoloje. Bernard Oundo, president of the Uganda Law Society, said that during one court hearing, 50 people were charged.
“This was a rushed trial. They were arrested and taken to court in a very short time and remanded to prison without securing bail,” he said. “We will ensure these people receive justice.”
Before the march, opposition leader Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, claimed that security forces had surrounded the headquarters of his National Unity Platform party. He reported that some party officials were “violently arrested” and that the offices had been turned into a “military barracks.”
On social media, Bobi Wine praised those who participated in the protests despite the harsh actions by the military and police. “Salutations to all who have courageously marched and are still marching against corruption and misrule,” he wrote. “The cowards have been picking up young people whose only crime is lifting up a placard.” He promised that legal and welfare support would be provided to those in need.
Earlier this year, the UK and US imposed sanctions on several Ugandan officials, including parliament speaker Anita Among and other ministers, over alleged corruption.
