Eight Suspects Arrested for Planning Unlawful Protests.

Joint Security Agencies have in custody 8 suspects habouring plans by activists and political groups to hold unlawful assemblies and processions, dubbed “Uganda’s economic protests”, to allegedly manifest discontent over the surge in commodity prices and fuel in the country.

On the night of 7th – 8th, May, 8 suspects were arrested from Lungala and Bwaise, with materials for making petrol bombs. Upon further interrogations, on they indicated part of their plans as; burning motor vehicles parked at police stations, torching of government motor vehicles moving on the road, looting of shops and businesses that were open, blocking roads, provocation and confrontation of police, among others. 8 motor cycles were also recovered.

Fred Enanga, the police spokesperson said, "as the Joint Security Agencies, we warned the organisers and protesters that they would be arrested if they went ahead with the illegal protests. The current economic challenges are as a result of system shocks to the global economic system, after the effects of COVID-19 and the ongoing Ukraine War. At the global stage, several political, business and civil society leaders, continue to discuss solutions to the stagnating global growth, and rising inflation.
"We therefore, urge the organisers of these unlawful protests to instead participate in constructive economic reforms and policies for the country, other than engaging in provocative behaviour."

"Although we do respect the rights to holding peaceful protests and rights to freedom of speech, we however, do object to the tendency where intending participants and organisers, harass and intimidate residents and businessmen, who are not willing to join them," Enanga added.

We therefore, urge all workers, the business and transport sector to avoid being manipulated through fear and intimidation. We want to applaud the business communities like KACITA -U, the Bodaboda Associations, the Taxi Industry as well as Political Leaders, who  denounced the protests.

We shall continue using our powers and discretion in policing to detect and prevent crime, maintain law and order. All our territorial commanders have been tasked to use lawful and reasonable force to disperse and disrupt the unlawful assemblies.