By Sekaggya Seka Moses
Kampala, Uganda – Today, July 23, 2024, Ugandans took to the streets to protest against corruption in parliament, demanding reforms and accountability from their leaders. The peaceful protest, dubbed the “March to Parliament,” was met with a heavy-handed response from police and the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), resulting in multiple arrests.
The protesters presented a seven-point petition to the government, calling for:
The resignation of Speaker of Parliament Annet Among
Reduction of the number of Members of Parliament from 529 to 100
The resignation of the four commissioners of parliament
The resignation of all MPs involved in corruption
An investigation by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) into the wealth of MPs to ensure it aligns with their salaries
Reduction of allowances and salaries of MPs, which are seen as excessive and unsustainable
The right to protest as permitted by law, without fear of intimidation or arrest
Notably, five MPs are already serving prison sentences for corruption-related offenses, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem. The protesters argue that this is just the tip of the iceberg and that more needs to be done to address the systemic corruption in parliament.
Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, several Ugandans were arrested by security forces, sparking concerns about the government’s commitment to freedom of assembly and expression.
The protest comes amidst growing discontent with corruption in parliament, with many Ugandans feeling that their leaders are out of touch with the people’s needs. The government’s response to the protest will be closely watched in the coming days.
