Security forces have arrested several youths marching to the Parliament of Uganda to demand the resignation of Speaker Anita Among who is accused of engaging in acts of corruption.
Security moved early on Tuesday morning and deployed around Parliament and many parts of Kampala in response to what police termed as “an unlawful march to Parliament”.
The Anti-Corruption March, organised by activists and some members of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, aimed to call for the resignation of House Speaker Anita Among.
Several participants were, however, arrested and are currently detained in various police stations around Kampala.
Human rights lawyer, Eriah Nuwenuwe, was arrested along Siad Barre Avenue as he tried to take part in the peaceful anti-graft protest.
He beat security and protested with a placard before being put into a police pickup.
Police also arrested three protesters at Cham Towers on Kampala Road. They were marching to parliament but have now been taken to the Central Police Station.
“It is okay to arrest me for asking for accountability from Anita Among,” said lone protester, Karungi Hamza, while being arrested along Parliamentary Avenue.
Innocent Mukwaya, who was arrested on Said Barre Avenue near Parliament, claimed he was walking to work and not participating in any protest when detained. “Speaker Anita Among must resign,” shouted youthful anti-graft protestors as security personnel bundled them in a police van.
MPs speak out
Meanwhile, as these scenes were playing out in the city, the House went into a session. In this video, Parliament Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa was seen arriving at Parliament ahead of Tuesday’s plenary, which he is chairing.
“This deployment is unnecessary because Parliament is a place where every Ugandan can turn to for redress. The more the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Commissioners, and MPs continue to bury their heads in the sand and try to cover those very serious allegations in this House, the more people will rise up,” pointed out Jonathan Odur, Erute South MP.
“If we are a people-centred Parliament of Uganda that listens to its people, whether they are right or wrong, we shouldn’t have held this plenary session today, tomorrow and the other day. I am giving my advice to the Parliament administration, it would have been good for us to suspend the plenary session. We would extend the recess and listen to our people and see what they are saying,” said John Musila (Bubulo East).
