Police have warned that the planned march to parliament by anti-corruption crusaders is illegal since it has not been cleared.
“We are informed of an ongoing mobilization calling for people to march to parliament but we want to warn organizers that given the lack of transparency and a potential for disorder, we are against this march,” police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said on Monday.
Talk of a march to Parliament on July 23 in protest against fraudulent conduct by those in power is gaining traction, especially on social media. Organizers say they want to show dissatisfaction with Parliament and its use of public funds.
Rusoke noted that as security agencies, they have not been informed of the planned protest, warning that it could escalate into disorder on Kampala roads. He emphasized that mobilizing behind the scenes is likely to be disastrous and that the police will not allow it to proceed.
“We respect the constitutional right to carry out a peaceful demonstration and the right to assembly but we know some people with ulterior motives might want to hijack these activities,” Rusoke said. He added that intelligence reports indicate the planned protest could be disastrous.
Rusoke urged the organizers to speak with the police for guidance on how to express their dissatisfaction peacefully. “We are ready and open to guide people in exercising their rights but without jeopardizing public safety.”
The development comes in the wake of deadly protests in Kenya a few weeks ago over the controversial Finance Bill, 2024, which proposed various tax and administrative measures affecting different tax laws. The protest saw dozens of Kenyans killed, but the government later withdrew the controversial law.
The Ugandan government recently warned Ugandans against replicating the Kenyan protests.
