Ugandan Authorities Crack Down on Anti-Corruption Protests: 104 Arrested

Ugandan police arrested 104 individuals during this week's anti-corruption protests, most facing public order charges. The U.S. and rights groups criticized the government's response. Additionally, the U.S. embassy urged President Museveni’s government to investigate allegations of detainee mistreatment. The protests were inspired by similar protests in Kenya against corruption.

Police in Uganda arrested 104 people during anti-corruption protests this week, with nearly all charged with public order offences, according to a police statement released late on Friday. The government's response has drawn criticism from rights campaigners and the United States, which expressed concern over the arrests of peaceful demonstrators.

The U.S. embassy in Uganda urged President Yoweri Museveni's government to investigate claims of assault on some detainees. Young Ugandans protested on Tuesday and Thursday against alleged graft by elected leaders, inspired by recent youth-led protests in Kenya against proposed tax hikes.

In response, authorities deployed police and soldiers across the capital, Kampala, to detain protesters holding banners and shouting slogans. The police confirmed 100 of those arrested had been charged, the first official account of the detentions. Amnesty International condemned the heavy-handed tactics and called for the immediate release of those detained for peaceful assembly.