Security Agents Descend On Ugandan Protesters After President Warned They Are Playing With Fire (PHOTOS)

Dozens of anti-corruption protesters in Kampala, Uganda, were arrested, charged and detained on Tuesday, according to their lawyers.

Approximately 60 individuals, including prominent TV and radio presenter Faiza Salima and three young protest leaders, were swiftly brought to court and remanded on charges such as being a “common nuisance.”

President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for nearly four decades, warned that the demonstrators were “playing with fire.” Riot police were deployed across Kampala, setting up roadblocks, particularly near the business district, and sealing off roads to parliament. Police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke stated that any demonstrations threatening Uganda’s “peace and security” would not be tolerated.

The rallies were organized online by young Ugandans inspired by similar protests in Kenya. Corruption is a significant issue in Uganda, ranked 141 out of 180 on Transparency International’s corruption index. “We are tired of corruption,” protester Samson Kiriya shouted as he was arrested.

Lawyer Ashraf Kwezi reported that those detained denied the charges. Three protest organizers, George Victor Otieno, Kennedy Ndyamuhaki, and Aloikin Praise Opoloje, were also charged. Uganda Law Society President Bernard Oundo noted that 50 people were charged in one hearing, with reappearances scheduled between July 30 and August 8. Five others were charged separately. Human Rights Watch Uganda researcher Oryem Nyeko condemned the arrests.

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Photos credit: AFP