Heavy security freezes planned protests in Kampala, other cities

By Our Reporter

25^th July 2022

Security has remained heightened in and around the country following social media threats of a three day demonstration over the skyrocketing prices of commodities.

Various social media platforms started circulating information calling on the public to take a 3 day economic lockdown strike starting today 25th to 28th July 2022 due to high prices of essential commodities and fuel prices.

Travelers found a hard time to move from different parts to Kampala as the public transporters, especially taxis, were left parked giving room to a few of the operators to hike fares. For example travelers from Mukono have been forced to pay 6000/= to Kampala from the usual 3000/=

In Jinja, Police has had running scenarios with some youths who had erected some blockades on the roads in the trading centers of Namulesa, Mafubira, Wanyama, Katende, Wakitaka and Wanyange, disrupting traffic flow from morning until midday but many were arrested.

In Kampala the field police unit and the UPDF have been patrolling most areas to avert any possibility of a demonstration.

The Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) of Kampala Yasin Ndide in his meeting with the press in Kampala assured the public especially the business community to stay calm and never to be intimidated rather move on with their businesses as expected.

Ndide adds that people are economically poor, not forgetting the effects of COVID-19, so people need to get a chance to support themselves economically and no amount of intimidation will be allowed to disorganize Ugandans, reiterating the NRM government’s commitment to protect the country.