Security foils planned anti-corruption march in Arua

Arua, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Arua City was on high alert today as joint police and Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers deployed heavily to stop a planned demonstration by youth.

The group of youths who referred to themselves as Gen-Z had planned to march to Arua city council offices located along Avenue Road in Arua central division to express their grievances over corruption in the country.

However, by 6 am the joint security had deployed around the council offices and in routes leading to other public offices including the Resident City Commissioner and Arua Central Police station headquarters. Persons seeking to access offices were subjected to thorough security checks while others were turned away.

Josephine Angucia, the West Nile Region Police Spokesperson described the deployment as normal and preventive. According to Angucia, they received an intelligence report about the planned protest. She added that no person has been arrested.

Captain Edwin Mawanda, the West Nile region UPDF spokesperson said that the deployment of the UPDF was meant to give a boost to the police in maintaining law and order. Mawanda instead appealed to the youth to remain calm and seek peace.

Eric Onzima Moses, a concerned youth in Arua City, explains that the government should not block the citizens, especially the youth from exercising their discontent against corruption which has become endemic.

However, Amati Herbert Asizua, another youth, appealed to the security forces to join the fight against corruption.

While addressing the nation on Saturday, July 20, 2024, President Yoweri Museveni warned that demonstrators would not be allowed to proceed with their plans to march to the Parliament to protest against corruption.

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