A Ugandan magistrate’s court charged at least 42 protesters with offenses related to a banned anti-corruption demonstration. The Ugandan anti-corruption charges led to their remand in custody.
Protesters marched through various streets in Kampala on Tuesday, shouting slogans and holding placards against corruption by lawmakers. #UgandanAntiCorruptionCharges
At least 42 protesters faced Ugandan anti-corruption charges and were remanded at a magistrate’s court in Kampala late on Tuesday. Bernard Oundo, president of Uganda Law Society, led the team that represented the suspects.
The charges outlined various offenses, including being “idle and disorderly” and a “common nuisance,” according to the charge sheet presented in court.
The protesters pleaded not guilty and the court scheduled their return for different dates between 30 July and 6 August.
New York-based Human Rights Watch criticized the arrests, highlighting President Yoweri Museveni’s government’s disregard for protest rights. The group emphasized the lack of respect for freedom of expression. Consequently, they condemned the government’s actions as a serious violation of human rights.
“Instead of being arrested and blocked from protesting, officials should have given those people a platform and listened to them,” said Oryem Nyeko, senior Africa researcher at HRW.
The police spokesperson did not answer repeated calls for comment.
Opposition leaders and rights activists claim that embezzlement and misuse of government funds are widespread in Uganda. #UgandanAntiCorruptionCharges
Furthermore, the Ugandan anti-corruption charges have drawn significant attention from legal and human rights organizations.
