Uganda arrests anti-corruption protesters

On July 23, police in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, detained at least 45 people who were protesting against widespread government corruption.

The protests were partly inspired by recent youth-led protests in neighboring countries. Kenyawith the participation of young Ugandans, who mobilized online. need This includes the resignation of Speaker of the National Assembly Anita Amon, who was nominated along with other lawmakers in February. Corruption exposure published on social mediaand called for a reduction in the salaries of Ugandan MPs, which are among the highest in the world.

Police responded to the protests with force, arresting dozens and rushing them to court on colonial-era charges of “public nuisance,” which the government has Long-term abuse Suppressing legitimate demonstrations.

“We know we will face resistance from the government,” Praise Aloikin, one of the participants, told me the day before the protest. “But we hope this will allow Ugandans to exercise their right to protest.” Aloikin was among those arrested and jailed on Tuesday.

Police continue to arrest young people in connection with the protests, including three on Wednesday who were arrested Attempt to hold a press conference.

this Police said They tried to “dissuade the organizers” at the July 18 meeting. Aloykin, who attended that meeting, said officials “just wanted to put fear in us,” asking them: “Didn’t you see people dying (in Kenya)?” Two days before the scheduled protest, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni Threatening protesterssaying they were “playing with fire”.

Ugandan authorities frequently crack down on activists, members of the political opposition, and human rights defenders who voice concerns about: Oil sector development and Police violence.

This latest crackdown on protesters is a blatant violation of the rights to peaceful assembly and expression guaranteed under Uganda’s constitution and international law, and demonstrates the authorities’ intolerance for dissent. Ugandan authorities should drop the charges against these activists and instead listen to the concerns they have raised.