The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has successfully secured police bonds for 55 of the over 60 young activists arrested by security forces on Tuesday during protests against rampant corruption in the Ugandan Parliament.
These activists marched through the streets of Kampala intending to deliver a petition to Speaker Anita Among, demanding her resignation due to her perceived responsibility for ongoing corrupt practices within the legislative body. They also called for the resignation of four backbench commissioners of Parliament, who have faced intense scrutiny for controversially awarding themselves 1.7 billion shillings in “service awards.”
Security forces, heavily deployed during the protest, arrested at least 60 individuals, detaining them at various police stations including Central Police Station (CPS), Jinja Road, and Kira.
Five of the detainees, including NTV presenter Faiza Salima aka Faiza Fabz, Thomas Kanzira, Olupot Benard Ewalu, Hamala Edgar Barlow, and Aljab Musinguzi, were rushed to Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court, charged with common nuisance, idleness, and disorderliness, and remanded to Luzira prison until July 30.
In a statement on Wednesday, the ULS announced the successful negotiation of police bonds for the 55 remaining in police custody.
“In line with our statutory duty to promote human rights, uphold the rule of law, and assist the public and Government in matters related to law and legislation in Uganda, the ULS found it imperative to intervene in exercise of its statutory mandate. As a result, we were able to guide the young people on the conduct of peaceful demonstrations, negotiate the release of some arrested suspects, and offer Pro Bono legal representation for all suspects charged with offences arising from the protests,” stated the ULS President.
The ULS condemned the arrest and detention of individuals peacefully exercising their right to public assembly and peaceful demonstration. They urged the police to respect the rights and freedoms of all Ugandans while performing their duty of maintaining law and order.
The ULS emphasized that the police are mandated to use reasonable force and act on reasonable suspicion when effecting an arrest. They called on security agencies to “immediately and unconditionally” release all individuals who were illegally arrested and not yet charged with any offence.
The ULS further urged all relevant stakeholders to uphold and defend the rights enshrined in Uganda’s constitution to fulfill the principles of democracy and the rule of law. They committed to continuing to monitor these cases to ensure the constitutional rights of suspects are respected.
The freed protesters are scheduled to appear in court on July 30, July 31, August 5, and August 6, 2024.
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