Heavy police deployment was witnessed at the residences of opposition leaders in Kampala on Thursday morning. Leaders from the United Forces of Change, an opposition umbrella group, had called for protests to highlight the poor state of roads in Kampala City.
Homes of prominent opposition figures, including Former Presidential Candidate Kiiza Besigye, Kampala Lord Mayor Elias Lukwago, and National Unity Platform-NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi, were reportedly cordoned off by police. The protests were organized to draw attention to the deteriorating road conditions in the city.
Despite the heavy police presence and blockades, NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi urged Ugandans to proceed with the planned demonstration. He took to social media, posting, “The cowardly military and police have surrounded our home, but the protest is on. Fix our roads! Free Political Prisoners! Free Uganda!”
Besigye also posted on social media, stating, “Barricaded at home by the COWARDS! No turning back; we deserve better. Please do what you can, wherever you’re, with whatever you have, to show the terrible roads affecting you today.”
At Lukwago’s residence, police reportedly blocked him from leaving his house as he intended to monitor road works done by the Special Force Command (SFC).
The call for protests comes amid widespread public discontent regarding the deteriorating state of roads in Kampala. Last year, a week-long online exhibition of potholes in Kampala was organized on Twitter, with citizens sharing pictures of potholes in their localities. The online campaign aimed to expose the dire state of city roads, prompting action from city authorities and the government.
In response to the public outcry, President Museveni instructed the Ministry of Finance to release 6 billion Shillings immediately for road rehabilitation in the city. However, opposition leaders, including Lukwago, deemed the funds inadequate.
Police spokesperson Fred Enanga had earlier warned the public against engaging in what he described as unlawful assemblies and country-wide political demonstrations, citing previous instances where such events turned violent, leading to property damage and disruptions.
The situation remains tense as opposition leaders persist in calling for protests despite the heavy security presence.
