ON Thursday, Ugandan police detained several individuals in Kampala during the second day of anti-corruption protests calling for the resignation of Parliament Speaker Anita Among. Footage broadcast by local media showed young demonstrators being taken into custody.
Inspired by weeks of youth-led protests in neighbouring Kenya, which successfully pressured the president to withdraw proposed tax hikes, young Ugandans have taken to the streets this week to protest alleged corruption among elected leaders.
Police swiftly intervened to halt a planned march to parliament on Tuesday, arresting at least 73 young protesters, according to Chapter Four Uganda, an organisation providing legal support to those detained.
On Thursday, more demonstrators joined the protests, as shown in a video posted on X by the Daily Monitor newspaper. The footage captured police in riot gear forcing several young adults into the back of a truck as they chanted protest slogans.
Additional footage from NTV Uganda depicted about a dozen people marching with signs reading, ‘The Corrupt are Messing with a Wrong Generation’ and ‘This is our 1986,’ referencing President Yoweri Museveni’s rise to power after overthrowing a repressive government.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke reiterated earlier comments that protests had been banned to prevent looting and vandalism. Museveni warned protesters over the weekend against ‘playing with fire’ and accused them of receiving foreign funding. ‘Those involved should know that Uganda is not a neo-colony,’ he said. ‘The fight against corruption is in my hands. I just need evidence and action will be taken.’
Activists in Uganda and Kenya have been using audio forums on X as a primary platform for organising their protests. In one such forum on Thursday, activists encouraged Ugandans to join the demonstrations despite the challenge of mobilising in a country where anti-government protests are often met with forceful police crackdowns.
‘You want it done today? Get out of your house … Be the soldier for this anti-corruption fight,’ urged one speaker identified only by their X handle.
The protesters are demanding the resignation of Parliament Speaker Anita Among, who has been sanctioned by the United States and Britain for alleged corruption. Among denies all allegations, claiming she is being targeted by Western governments for her role in pushing through harsh anti-LGBTQ legislation last year.
Ugandan protesters have adopted slogans from their Kenyan counterparts, who have seen over 50 people killed during six weeks of protests, describing themselves as ‘fearless’ and ‘leaderless.’ Nigerian activists are also drawing inspiration from Kenya, planning demonstrations next month in response to their own cost of living crisis.
