In Uganda’s capital, Kampala, police arrested several people on Thursday during the second day of anti-corruption protests. The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Parliament Speaker Anita Among. Local media broadcast footage showing young Ugandans taken into custody, reflecting a wave of discontent inspired by recent youth-led protests in neighboring Kenya.
The protests in Uganda began earlier this week, following weeks of demonstrations in Kenya that resulted in the president there withdrawing proposed tax hikes. These actions in Kenya have inspired young Ugandans to stand against alleged corruption by their elected leaders. Demonstrators have taken to the streets, voicing their frustrations and demanding accountability from those in power.
On Tuesday, the planned march to Parliament was swiftly shut down by police. According to Chapter Four Uganda, a legal services organization, at least 73 young protesters were arrested. The heavy-handed police response did not deter further protests. By Thursday, more demonstrators had gathered, as seen in videos posted by the Daily Monitor newspaper on social media platform X.
The footage showed police in riot gear apprehending several young adults and forcing them into the back of a truck. The demonstrators shouted slogans as they were taken away, emphasizing their resolve to fight corruption. Another video by NTV Uganda showed about a dozen people marching with signs. One sign read, “The Corrupt are Messing with a Wrong Generation,” while another referenced President Yoweri Museveni’s rise to power in 1986.
When approached for comment, police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke referred to earlier statements in which he justified the protest ban. Rusoke argued that the protests could be hijacked by individuals seeking to loot and vandalize. President Museveni echoed these sentiments over the weekend, warning protesters against “playing with fire.”
On Thursday, Museveni accused the demonstrators of receiving foreign funding. “Those involved should know that Uganda is not a neo-colony,” he declared. He assured the public that the fight against corruption was his responsibility and promised action upon receiving evidence.
Ugandan and Kenyan activists have used audio forums on X to organize their protests. These forums serve as a platform for coordinating efforts and encouraging participation. In one such forum on Thursday, activists urged Ugandans to take to the streets, while also acknowledging the difficulties of mobilizing in a country where anti-government demonstrations often face forceful police responses.
“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. This call to action resonated with many Ugandans frustrated by persistent corruption and the lack of accountability among their leaders.
The protesters’ primary demand is the resignation of Parliament Speaker Anita Among. Among has faced sanctions this year from the United States and Britain for her alleged involvement in corruption. She has denied these allegations, claiming she is being targeted by Western governments for her role in pushing through harsh anti-LGBTQ legislation last year.
The protesters have adopted slogans from their counterparts in Kenya, emphasizing their fearless and leaderless nature. In Kenya, more than 50 people have been killed in six weeks of protests. The Ugandan protesters see themselves as part of a broader movement for justice and accountability across the region.
