Soldiers and police in Uganda on Monday, surrounded the headquarters of the country’s biggest opposition party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), in a precautionary move ahead of planned anti-government protest on Tuesday.
Robert Kyagulanyi, known as Bobi Wine, the NUP leader, reported on social media that security forces had blocked anyone from entering or leaving the NUP offices in Kampala and had violently arrested several NUP leaders.
Photos showed military personnel and army trucks at the scene.
The protests, organised by Ugandan youth, aim to march to parliament to protest against alleged corruption and human rights abuses under President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986. Although Wine’s party supports the protests, he stated they were not the organisers.
Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke explained that the security measures were taken because of the NUP’s mobilisation for the protest, which raised concerns for the authorities.
While protests are legally permitted in Uganda, organisers need police permits, which are rarely granted.
Opposition leaders and activists accuse President Museveni of widespread corruption and failing to prosecute loyal top officials.
Museveni denies tolerating corruption, insisting culprits are prosecuted when there is sufficient evidence. He recently ordered the arrest and prosecution of officials linked to ghost civil servants on the payroll.
Museveni also warned youth against participating in protests, claiming they were incited by foreign elements to create chaos in Uganda.