The leaders of Uganda’s strongest opposition political parties have been arrested Monday morning for attempting to take part in walk to work protests organised by opposition leaning Action for Change.
Forum for Democratic Change President, Dr. Kizza Besigye, Uganda people’s Congress President Olara Otunu and Democratic Party President Nobert Mao were on Monday morning arrested shortly before they left their respective homes in Kasangati, Ntinda and Bugolobi respectively.
Otunu was arrested at Jinja Road opposite Shoprite as he walked from his home in Bugolobi to his office at Uganda House, while Besigye and Mao were not allowed to even walk, and were arrested outside their respective homes.
Police has been fighting battles with protesters in Kasangati, Kireka, Bweyogere on this 3rd day of Uganda’s walk to work protests against the increasing cost of living due to high fuel, food and prices of several essential products and services.
President Museveni Yoweri had warned on Saturday that the opposition leaders will not be allowed to demonstrate as the security agencies had come up with measures to ensure there is no walk to work protest.
But several opposition leaders vowed to continue to walk to work protests every Monday and Thursday, and did so today. Many opposition leaders were detaining this morning for attempting to walk to work, including
David Pulokol, Nandala Mafabi, Anne Mugisa, Sarah Epelu, Cecilia Ogwal, Margaret Wokuri, Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda among others. Opposition leaders have also been arrested in Hoima, Jinja and Kiballe after being caught walking to work.
The government accuses the opposition of using the dire economic situation to undermine its authority and planning to take over government illegally.
In a statement on behalf of the Cabinet, Information and National Guidance Minister kabakumba Masiko said “negative elements” want to exploit the economic crunch to portray the government of Uganda as being insensitive to problems facing the citizens.
“This group is politically motivated, trying to undermine legitimate authority, aiming at capturing power through illegitimate means. This grand plan is to hoodwink the public to believe that the opposition agitation is in their interest,” Kabakumba said.
