Uganda police detain dozens of people at anti-corruption protests
Al JazeeraAUG 1 2024
Uganda Detains Dozens of Anti-Government Protesters
Above: Traffic navigates past a protester roadblock on November 19, 2020 in Kampala, Uganda. Image copyright: Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
The protests prove that civil society can no longer be dissuaded by violence and threats from exercising its constitutional right to protest. Uganda is one of the world's most corrupt countries, and the brutal reaction to the protests reveals the authoritarian regime's fear of its own people. After Kenya, the wave of popular anger against corruption and misrule is now spilling over to Uganda — an encouraging sign that people are increasingly holding their governments to account.
Narrative B
The right to protest isn't unconditional, and the Ugandan authorities must protect the country's stability when unrest erupts. To plunge the country into chaos and bring themselves to power, sections of the opposition are working with foreigners, as they did four years ago. However, the government will not tolerate the country's progress being disrupted. Uganda is not Kenya, and most Ugandans are not falling for the empty slogans of those behind the copycat protests.