As Uganda continues to protest against the candidacy of its longtime ruler, Yoweri Museveni in the country’s upcoming polls, the death toll seems to be on a steady rise as the press complains about targeted attacks and harassment.
Death Toll Rises To 45 Following Bobi Wine’s Arrest
According to information gathered by the Washington Post, the death toll from protests in the country has risen to 45, with more than 800 still in police custody. This comes after protests last week following the arrest of Ugandan opposition and presidential candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as ‘Bobi Wine.’
The report quoted police spokesman Fred Enanga, who told reporters that “Our hearts go to the families of those killed.” Enanga also revealed that the arrests took place during the two days of protests that broke out on November 18, 2020, after Wine was arrested again in the eastern town of Luuka, immediately after his candidacy was confirmed. Police in Uganda had arrested the presidential hopeful on allegations of flouting COVID-19 guidelines that require presidential candidates to address less than 200 people at a time. His charge included negligence, with the potential to cause the spread of an infectious disease.
The United Nations Secretary-General condemned the violence last week and called on Ugandan authorities to ensure that all perpetrators of human rights violations are held accountable.
The Violent Crackdown On Uganda’s Media
Ahead of the elections, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called out and condemned the violent attacks that media organisations and personnel have suffered at the hands of the Museveni-led federal government.
Citing cases that include the shooting of filmmaker, Moses Bwayo, by the police at a campaign rally for opposing Bobi Wine, the organisation described the events as “extremely brutal methods used to prevent journalists from covering the presidential election campaign” in Uganda.
While several members of the press have been arrested and violently attacked, more than a dozen broadcast media have been sanctioned to stop providing live coverage of police activities and the election, all of this, according to RSF, makes the elections questionable.
The election is scheduled for January 14, 2021.
