Darkness at noon! When the Anti-C orruption Crusaders and Human Rights` Defenders Become the Enemies of the State In Uganda

Dozens of people were detained in the Ugandan capital Kampala after joining scattered anti-corruption protests. Human Rights Activist and Professor of Psychology- Jimmy Spire Ssentongo said more than sixty people were brutally arrested by both the military and police as they attempted to peacefully demonstrate against the massive rampant corruption, embezzlement and abuse of office, allegedly by the Speaker of Parliament – Rt. Hon. Annet Anita Among and many other government officials who are almost depleting the consolidated fund at the expense of tax payers – most of whom, live in abject poverty.

In a bid to thwart the voices that rose against these vices, the Government, which claims to be fighting corruption, instead deployed military machinery on the streets which brutally arrested the peaceful demonstrators many of whom are freshly graduated University students and other activists. These were hurriedly brought before courts even as late as 6pm in the evening, and remanded to Luzira Maximum Prison following a march on the country’s parliament on Tuesday 13th October 2024.

This followed President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for almost four decades, warning that protesters were “playing with fire”. The march was organised on social media amid anger over long-running allegations of corruption involving several high-profile public officials. Police previously announced that they had refused to give permission for the march and would not allow any demonstration that threatened Uganda’s “peace and security”.

On Tuesday, military officers and anti-riot officers were seen manning roadblocks, while members of the security forces sealed off roads and stood guard around the parliament building. Pictures showed marchers holding signs that read “Stop corruption” and calling the parliament a “den of thieves”. Another said: “We are peaceful protesters”.

Others showed protesters being manhandled by police and pushed into the back of riot vans and driven to a break-neck- speed to unknown destinations. “We are tired of corruption,” protester Samson Kirya told AFP news agency through the bars of a van after being arrested. Those detained included well-known television and radio presenter Faiza Salima as well as three protest organisers; George Victor Otieno, Kennedy Ndyamuhaki and Aloikin Praise Opoloje.

Bernard Oundo, president of the Uganda Law Society, said one court hearing saw over fifty people charged and remanded. “This was a rushed trial. They were arrested and taken to court in a very short time and remanded to prison without securing them bail,” he said. “We will ensure these people receive justice.”

Earlier this year, the UK and US imposed sanctions on a number of Ugandan officials, including parliament Speaker, Annet Anita Among and three former or serving ministers, over alleged involvement in corruption. The focus of the protestors was on Parliament Speaker Anita Among, an influential member of the ruling party, who is criticized for allegedly collecting huge sums in allowance spending on foreign travel, including trips that did not happen.

The online campaign that sparked off the protests alleges Among was paid the equivalent of $894,500 in per diems and entertainment allowances between July and January, an astonishing amount in a country struggling to implement its budget amid persistent revenue shortfalls. A parliamentary commission which Among heads had earlier raised daily per diem rates for the Speaker from $990 to $4,000.

The annual per capita income in Uganda was $850 in 2022, according to World Bank figures. What is more surprising is that at the floor of Parliament and on other platforms, Rt. Hon Anita Among, accused the protestors of being funded by foreigners especially the western Governments because of the recently enacted Anti Homosexuality Act in Uganda.

While presiding over Parliament, she repeatedly informed members of Parliament that “bum shafters” are using some people in Uganda to fight her because of her strong stance against homosexuality. Sadly, she is supported by President Museveni and his government. The political prosecution against those who call against corruption and those whose voices call for respect of rights for LGBQ+ in Uganda is alarming as it is the order of the day to be arrested incommunicado, detained without trial and torture.

Much as afew of the activists have been able to flee the country for safety including Mr. Kakwenza Rukirabasheija and I, many other of our colleagues are languishing in prisons for one crime; Speaking out against corruption and fighting for the rights of minorities especially the LGBT+ in Uganda. On one of the radio talk shows on a local television, the Speaker’s Media assistant, Joseph Sabiti, remarked,”…..the likes of Kakwenza and ….Malcom, are not fighting corruption and defending human rights, but are rather paid by the Western Homosexual organisations to taint the name of the Speaker and Uganda.”

This is so sad considering the fact I fled the country and left behind in Uganda, a very young family, who are trailed by security agents day-in- day- out, compromising their security yet I was the bread winner. Good thing is that the population, especially the young people are relentless and up in arms against the gross violation of human rights in Uganda and rampant corruption amidst an ailing health and education system and generally, service delivery.

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Pius Kiyimba: Kiyimba Pius is a senior editor at The Investigator. He joined in 2018. His journalism background includes writing for both business and human rights. Connect with him by email: [email protected]