Security forces in Uganda’s capital Kampala have been arrested as they matched in the planned Anti-corruption demonstrations dubbed March2Parliament.
Sylvia Namutyaba, Habib Buwembo, John Bosco Sserunkuma John Bosco and several others have been arrested at Arua Park police post by joint security forces while attempting to march to Parliament to protest against corruption.
The protests follow weeks of mobilization majorly on social Media as youths respond to widespread corruption in the country but particularly in parliament.
By daybreak today, security forces had been deployed in most parts of the country but heavily in the city and along major roads leading to the city center. Access to Parliament building and it’s environs is also restricted to only a few, who must also undergo scrutiny by police and the army.
The police has earlier issues a strong warning to protestors not to proceed with the planned protests claiming the demos would disrupt order in the city and culminate into destruction of property, which the organizers ignored on account of the right to assemble and expression.
The youth-led protests demand among other things; resignation of the speaker Anita Among, cutting the size of Parliament which they say is huge, and reducing their privileges as a strategy to reduce the cost of public administration.
Another video shows a group of youths in Hoima displaying placards in protest against corruption.
There are several other reports of arrests and interceptions by security deployed to block entry of youths bodabodas and taxis into the city center.