At least 42 demonstrators showed up in court in Uganda on Tuesday under charges related to a young-led protest earlier in the day in the capital, Kampala. Authorities banned the demonstration, which sought to expose claimed political corruption and violations of human rights among legislators.
Charged with charges including being “idle and disorderly” and a “common nuisance,” the demonstrators marched through the streets of the city Ugandan officials routinely use these charges to stifle demonstrations. Each of the 42 people entered not guilty pleas and were directed to return to court on different dates ranging from July 30 to August 6.
Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP) among other opposition leaders have long attacked the Ugandan government for extensive financial abuse and corruption. Claiming consistently denied, they accuse President Yoweri Museveni of shielding dishonest officials loyal to him.
Soldiers and police encircled the NUP offices during the Tuesday demonstrations, according to Wine, who said several party officials had been “violently arrested.” Notwithstanding these incidents, Wine refuted claims that the NUP organized the rally.
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Declared a “blatant violation of the rights to peaceful assembly and free speech,” granted by Uganda’s constitution and international law, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has denounced the actions of the Ugandan government. HRW asked the government to remove the charges against the demonstrators and instead of stifling their voices, pay attention to their issues.
Recent events in Kampala draw attention to the continuous conflicts in Uganda, where young-led movements are progressively contesting President Museveni’s long-standing authority. The world community is keenly observing to see how these problems are handled as the nation under examination its treatment of demonstrations and opposition.
