Uganda charges dozens of anti-graft protesters
A court in Uganda has remanded several protesters in custody for alleged offenses committed during anti-corruption marches, an association of lawyers in the East African nation reported on Wednesday.
The rallies in Kampala on Tuesday took place despite the country’s longtime leader, Yoweri Museveni, warning against them. The Uganda Police Force (UPF) also said it denied organizers permission so as to prevent “disturbances to public order.”
Local TV footage showed protesters marching through the streets and parliament, holding placards denouncing corruption by lawmakers amid a heavy deployment of police and army officers in various parts of the city.
Around 60 detainees, including organizers, a popular television and radio presenter, as well as a social media influencer and a doctor, appeared in court late on Tuesday, according to their lawyers.
They were charged with a “flimsy offense of being a common nuisance” and “disorderly,” lawyer Ashraf Kwezi told AFP.
Protest organizers George Victor Otieno, Kennedy Ndyamuhaki, and Aloikin Praise Opoloje have also been charged after they were arrested while marching to parliament.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Uganda Law Society (ULS) said it was providing legal aid services to more than 40 accused persons facing charges of “public nuisance.”
VIDEO: A snippet of what transpired today at Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court, where President @BmalinguOundo led various lawyers in defending the rights of alleged protesters.The presiding Magistrate, Caroline Kyoshabire was unable to grant bail to the three who were ready… pic.twitter.com/BXnPk7ylob
— Uganda Law Society (@ug_lawsociety) July 23, 2024
ULS President Bernard Oundo said on Wednesday that at least 42 protesters were charged and remanded by a Kampala magistrate’s court late on Tuesday.
All suspects have denied the charges and have been ordered to appear for trial on various dates between July 30 and August 6.
On Tuesday, Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, the leader of Uganda’s largest opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), commended the protesters for their bravery against corruption and “misrule.”
On Monday, the eve of the anti-graft event, the NUP reported that police and army officers had sealed off the party’s headquarters in the capital and “violently arrested” several of its leaders. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said the move was a precautionary measure against what he called the NUP’s “mobilization for the protest.”
