Police arrest 13 on “real anti-corruption walk”

13 anti-corruption campaigners have been arrested by police in Kampala for staging a protest against what they perceive to be the government’s inability to tackle corruption.

Following on from President Museveni’s “walk against corruption” last year, the group, known as ‘Black Monday’, staged what they termed the “real anti-corruption walk”.

However, their protest was cut short after police intervened and detained all those involved.

Kampala’s assistant superintendent of police, Luke Owoyesigyire, said “We have arrested two groups for inciting violence.  They have been detained as investigations go on”.

Organised by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, President Museveni took part in a “walk against corruption” in December 2019.

The six-day trek was derided by many as a stunt, giving off the pretence that the government cared about putting an end to corruption, with even several cabinet ministers dismissing it as empty rhetoric.

Corruption is systemic in Uganda, as recognised by the country’s poor rating in the Corruption Perceptions Index and the African edition of the Global Corruption Barometer.

During a televised speech on New Year’s Eve, President Museveni vowed to make 2020 the year he ended corruption in Uganda, though this assertion has been widely dismissed by opposition figures.

Photo credit: Abubaker Lubowa