Massive Deployment and arrests on eve of March to Parliament

The Uganda police force and military put up a heavy presence across the city today, Monday, ahead of the anticipated march to parliament tomorrow, Tuesday 23rd July, 2024.

Military trucks, and mambas could be seen in the areas of Rubaga, Kawempe, the Central Business District and almost at every round about in the city. 

The offices of the National Unity Platform (NUP), leading opposition political party were also heavily barricaded from visitors and party officials. 

Arrests

In the ensuing standoff after the seal-off of the NUP offices, MP Francis Zaake of Mityana Municipality was violently arrested. Zaake’s car was towed away to Wandegeya Police station.

There, he was extracted from the car, and a chargesheet hurriedly prepared, his crime being careless or inconsiderate use of motor vehicle, C/S 119 of the Traffic and Road Safety Act 2020, as amended.

Together with him were Kirumira Hassan MP for Katikamu South, Tebandeke Charles for Bbale County, Rubaga Councilor Mubiru James, Mukasa Ben Ntale, Kemigisha Sharon, Mungu Brian, Ssemanda Ibra and Nabakooza Shamim.

They were then paraded before the LDC court just before 7pm and hurriedly remanded to Luzira Prisons until Thursday 25^th July 2024.

The latter were charged with unlawful assembly.

Faceless, Partyless movement

The march to parliament has been organised on social media allegedly as a faceless, partyless and tribeless movement, much like the one that started in Kenya about a month ago. 

The Kenyan movement started in protest against the Finance Bill, 2024 that had proposed various tax increments on basic items. 

It further descended into other demands that led to firing of cabinet and loss of over 60 young lives. 

In Uganda, the movement is marching to parliament to remove the Speaker of the House.

They allege that she’s hideously corrupt, and arrogant, and has gotten beyond reproach, with many of her critics harassed by state operatives, including languishing in prisons. 

Talking Tough

However, President Yoweri Museveni who is ostensibly fighting corruption, with some MPs and government officials on remand came out to address the nation, and warned Ugandans against the protests.

He promised them fire. 

“We are busy producing wealth… and you here want to disturb us. You are playing with fire because we cannot allow you to disturb us,” he said.