Ugandan authorities have arrested 104 individuals in connection with ongoing anti-corruption protests that have gripped the nation, according to an announcement made by the Ugandan police forces on Saturday. The protests, which took place from July 22 to July 25, 2024, saw demonstrators attempt a #MarchToParliament in Kampala, triggering significant police intervention.
Uganda’s Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke disclosed that out of the 104 individuals arrested, 100 have already appeared in court, while the remaining four are facing previous legal charges. These arrests ranged from common nuisance and traffic regulation violations to other offenses. Among them, 75 individuals were detained on July 23 alone, with 74 being taken directly to court, and one remaining in police custody.
The protestors, predominantly youths, were participating in a march against escalating corruption within the Ugandan Parliament. This led to the arrests of several opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) members, with the parliamentary opposition leader Joel Ssenyonyi accusing the police of excessive force. Although the demonstrations were organized via social media and intended to be decentralized, officials banned the gatherings citing public order concerns, and President Yoweri Museveni warned protestors about potential repercussions.
Amnesty International has also become involved, urging Ugandan authorities on Thursday to unconditionally release the detained anti-corruption activists. Tigere Chagutah, the organization’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, stated that rather than silencing protesters, the government should address their demands for tackling corruption and fulfilling human rights obligations.
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