The United States Mission in Uganda has condemned the arrest of demonstrators who hit the streets on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, to protest against poor governance and corruption.
Just like it has been in Kenya, the Ugandan protests were led by the youth but were forcefully dealt with by the law-enforcing agencies, with some protestors getting arrested.
The US, through its mission in Kampala, said they are concerned following the arrests. They also commended the media for how it covered the events.
“The freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly are fundamental to democracy. The United States is concerned by the recent arrests of over 90 Ugandan citizens peacefully demonstrating against corruption and commends the courage of the media to ensure the Ugandan public stays informed,” a statement shared on the mission’s X handle, read in part.
For those arrested, the US called for a fair hearing as it is stipulated in the country’s constitution.
“Under the Ugandan constitution, anyone detained has the right to a fair hearing and safe treatment, and we urge that any allegations of individuals assaulted in detention be investigated and perpetrators be held accountable,” it added.
Museveni’s reaction
The statement of concern comes a day after Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni praised how the police and the Defence Forces dealt with the demonstrators.
“I want to congratulate the Armed Forces, the Security Forces, and the Wananchi for foiling or not participating in the bad demonstration that was planned for Tuesday,” the decades-long serving Head of State said.
Just like Kenya’s President William Ruto, Museveni blamed foreign agents for sponsoring the demonstrations.
“Element no. 1 was funding from foreign sources that are always meddling in the internal affairs of Africa for the last 600 years: slave trade, colonialism, neo-colonialism, genocide, economic exploitation, etc. All those involved should know that Uganda is not a neo-colony where those shallow schemes can be deployed.
“The second element was that some of the authors and participants of the demonstrations were planning very bad things against the people of Uganda. Those very bad things will come out in court when those arrested are being tried,” Museveni continued to say.
However, Museveni said that it is possible that those who participated in the protests were not aware of the people funding it.
“It is possible that some of the participants did not know of the planned foreign funding and the planned bad things. That is why they should have listened to the police’s advice not to go on with the demonstration. But they rubbished the police advice,” he continued.
