Police Caution Ugandans Over July 23 Anti-Corruption March

The Uganda Police Force (UPF) has reiterated its warning against any Ugandans planning to march to Parliament in protest against rampant corruption in the country.

The march, slated for tomorrow, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, has garnered a lot of attention on social media, with calls for all Ugandans to march from their respective areas to Parliament, demanding the resignation of corrupt government officials.

ACP Rusoke Kituuma, the Public Relations Officer for the Uganda Police Force, stated that on July 15, 2024, they issued a warning to unidentified individuals engaged in a mobilization campaign across social media platforms. On that date, Kituuma mentioned that these individuals notified the Inspector General of Police about their intention to march to Parliament by way of procession and demonstration.

“The mobilization placards called upon Ugandans to occupy all streets in Kampala as part of their march to Parliament. Such a mass occupation of the streets, from the police perspective, would likely result in significant traffic congestion, disruption of trade, and disturbances to public order,” said Kituuma.

He told the media during the weekly press briefing at Naguru today that in an effort to dissuade the organizers from this potentially “anarchic approach,” the police met with them on July 18, 2024, at police headquarters. Following a thorough security assessment regarding the feasibility of a political procession, the police advised the organizers and urged them to heed this counsel.

“We reiterate our position that UPF shall not tolerate disorderly conduct,” he warned.