Hiiraan Online
Monday August 20, 2018
Ugandan police have used live bullets to disperse protestors on Monday.
Kampala (HOL) - Police in Uganda have fired live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters in the capital Uganda on Monday. The protestors are demanding the release of a popular MP who is critical of Yoweri Museveni’s government.
Akena James, a Reuters photojournalist has also been arrested and is being held at the Central Police Station in Kampala. His cameras have been confiscated by Ugandan security authorities. The Ugandan police force has said that 22 people have been arrested.
Local media is reporting that at least one person has been killed and at least five others have been wounded.
Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, whose stage name is Bobi Wine, has been in police custody since last week and has allegedly been tortured at the hands of government agents.
Ssentamu was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of firearms after being accused of being involved in an incident where Yoweri Museveni’s presidential motorcade was pelted with stones. For his part, Ssentamu maintains his innocence and says he was beaten and tortured while in detention. His arrest has raised political tensions in Uganda.
Three months ago, Uganda’s parliament imposed a controversial and wildly unpopular tax on the use of social media that critics say was aimed to stifle criticism against President Museveni who has ruled Uganda since 1986.