At least 37 killed in protests in Uganda



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From: TT

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People are fleeing tear gas and shelling by security forces in Kampala.

Photo: AP / TT

People are fleeing tear gas and shelling by security forces in Kampala.

At least 37 people have been killed in clashes between security forces and Bobi Wine supporters in Uganda. Unrest erupted when the opposition presidential candidate was arrested, accused of violating the rules of the pandemic during his election rallies.

The election campaign has gotten off to a violent start in Uganda, which will go to the polls in mid-January. Opposition politician and artist Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, is seen as the biggest threat to powerful leader Yoweri Museven and has managed to garner strong support from the country’s youth.

Wine has been arrested several times before and his concerts and campaign rallies are banned or regularly tear gassed. He was arrested again on Wednesday, but was released on bail on Friday, after two days of protests against the arrest.

Arrested and killed

The army has been deployed to stop protests in the capital, Kampala, and surrounding areas, along with the police. They have used sharp ammunition, tear gas and water cannons against the protesters, who in turn have set fire to roofs and thrown stones and other objects at the police.

Hundreds of protesters have been arrested, according to police, for being violent, including against people who do not support Bobi Wines’ party.

– We have 37 dead that are linked to the protests that began Wednesday, says police health director Moses Byaruhanga, adding that the victims have died from injuries or suffocation.

“Violent repression”

The human rights organization Human Rights Watch accuses Uganda of using the pandemic to stop political gatherings.

“The authorities have consistently used the COVID-19 guidelines as an excuse for violent repression of the opposition rather than guaranteeing a democratic game plan for free and fair elections,” says researcher Oryem Nyeko.

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