Uganda Charges Dozens of Anti-Graft Protesters Amid Crackdown on Opposition

Uganda’s political tensions as dozens of individuals who participated in anti-corruption rallies in Kampala on Tuesday have been charged and detained. Despite an official ban on the protests, around 60 people, including notable figures such as a prominent TV and radio presenter, were brought before the courts. They now face charges of being a “common nuisance” and other related offenses, according to their lawyers.

President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades, had sternly warned that the demonstrators were “playing with fire”. Riot police were deployed extensively across Kampala, establishing roadblocks and sealing off roads leading to parliament, particularly in the business district. Police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke emphasized that any demonstration threatening Uganda’s “peace and security” would not be tolerated.

The call to action, driven by young Ugandans through online platforms, featured vibrant posters urging citizens to march on parliament. This movement drew inspiration from Kenya’s Gen-Z-led anti-government protests, which have seen significant participation and impact. Corruption remains a pervasive issue in Uganda, ranked 141 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s corruption index, with numerous high-profile scandals tarnishing the reputations of public officials.

During the rallies, protester Samson Kiriya was heard shouting “We are tired of corruption” from the confines of a police van as he was taken into custody. The legal proceedings against the detained protesters were swift. Among those charged were television and radio presenter Faiza Salima, a social media influencer, and a doctor. Lawyer Ashraf Kwezi described the charges as “flimsy,” criticizing the authorities for branding the protesters as common nuisances and disorderly.

Three key protest organizers, George Victor Otieno, Kennedy Ndyamuhaki, and Aloikin Praise Opoloje, were also arrested while marching to parliament and faced similar charges. Bernard Oundo, president of the Uganda Law Society, reported that 50 individuals were charged in a single hearing in Kampala, with their next court appearances scheduled between July 30 and August 8. Additionally, five others were charged in a separate hearing. Lawyer Patience Muwanguzi decried the hasty trials, noting that the accused were remanded without the opportunity to secure bail. “We will ensure these people receive justice,” she vowed.

Human Rights Watch Uganda researcher Oryem Nyeko condemned the arrests, highlighting them as indicative of the current state of human rights in Uganda. On the eve of the rally, Ugandan authorities had targeted the headquarters of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), led by former presidential candidate Bobi Wine. Three MPs from his party were arrested, and a heavy police presence remained around the NUP offices in a Kampala suburb.

Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, praised the protesters’ courage on social media, despite the severe response from military and police forces. The Ugandan government has a history of suppressing the NUP and Wine, who ran unsuccessfully against Museveni in the 2021 presidential elections.

Corruption scandals have plagued Uganda, with recent incidents involving high-ranking officials. Earlier this year, the United States and Britain imposed sanctions on several Ugandan officials, including parliament speaker Anita Among and three ministers, for alleged corruption. The ministers are currently on trial for allegedly stealing iron sheets intended for the poor, although no charges have been brought against the speaker.

The crackdown on anti-graft protesters underscores the ongoing struggle against corruption in Uganda. Human rights lawyer Ezra Rwashande, speaking during the rallies, declared, “We are not relenting until we have the corrupt out of office,” signaling the determination of Ugandan citizens to demand accountability and transparency from their government.