Police were heavily deployed across the deserted streets of Kampala on Tuesday in anticipation of a banned anti-corruption rally. President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda with an iron fist for nearly forty years, cautioned the protestors over the weekend, labeling their actions as “playing with fire.”
Late Monday, three opposition lawmakers were taken into custody following opposition leader Bobi Wine’s claim that his National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters was under intense scrutiny from police and military personnel.
The anti-corruption protest, inspired by similar Gen-Z led movements in neighboring Kenya, has gained traction online. Leading Ugandan protester Shamim Nambasa emphasized the youth’s determination to make a difference.
Online posters had called for a “march on parliament,” but police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke stated that any demonstration threatening national peace and security would not be permitted.
In Kampala, AFP journalists observed roadblocks on mostly quiet streets, particularly near the business district, with officers in anti-riot gear and some in camouflage uniforms. A strong police presence also surrounded the NUP headquarters.
Three opposition lawmakers, identified as Francis Zaake, Charles Tebandeke, and Hassan Kirumira, were detained on various charges late Monday, according to police. Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, called for support of the rallies, advocating for a more inclusive nation.
The protest, driven by young Ugandans using the hashtag #StopCorruption, reflects widespread frustration with graft in Uganda, which ranks 141 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s corruption index.